President Donald Trump tried to flex his energy Monday by posting a deepfake video on Fact Social mocking Democratic Home chief Hakeem Jeffries — however as an alternative of dominating the second, he solely set himself up for a brutal clapback that stole the highlight.
Lawmakers face a Tuesday midnight deadline with no deal in sight, elevating the chance of a shutdown early Wednesday morning.
The ridiculous AI-generated clip, which additionally mocked Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer, shortly drowned out information of the funds deadlock.
“Trump posted this racist AI video of Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer to his social media platform. The MAGA cult will consider that it’s actual with out query,” one commenter mentioned on Threads. The vast majority of voices known as the publish “beneath the dignity of the workplace” and “a shame.”
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“This is likely one of the most demented issues Trump has posted,” wrote impartial journalist Aaron Rupar, who recurrently shared Trump’s newest controversy.
On CNN, Republican Sen. Roger Marshall tried to defend the president.
“Typically the president performs with a press like just a little boy and a flashlight and a canine and he’s shining the flashlight right here, and he’s shining it there,” Marshall mentioned. When pressed by host Kaitlan Collins about whether or not the publish was acceptable, Marshall replied, “I believe it’s mentioned in jest. I believe it’s the president making enjoyable of a pair folks that didn’t deliver a critical request to the White Home.”
Critics on social media weren’t shopping for it.
“Trump is such a infantile a—gap! That motherf—er will at all times be a f—ing juvenile delinquent,” one response learn. One other mentioned, “This ‘supposed’ chief is such a shame!! On daily basis he does one thing that makes him a even greater low life.”
Requires impeachment flooded social media.
“Trump must be IMPEACHED IMMEDIATELY! HE IS NOT WELL. THIS IS LUNACY!!!!!!” One other added, “Impeach or Article 25 for racist psychological sickness/madness! Trump should go now!”
Jeffries delivered a brutal clapback, posting the notorious picture of Trump smiling beside Jeffrey Epstein, along with his hand on Epstein’s shoulder. “That is actual,” Jeffries wrote on X. The publish lit up social media, with reactions like “Lastly,” “Sensible!” and “It’s about rattling time. Take the gloves off!”
The New York lawmaker wasn’t finished along with his takedown. The next day he dared Trump to confront him in particular person. “The following time you could have one thing to say about me, don’t cop out by means of a racist and pretend AI video. Once I’m again within the Oval Workplace, say it to my face.”
Contained in the Oval Workplace assembly earlier within the day, discussions over expiring medical insurance subsidies marked the one trace of compromise.
Vice President JD Vance instructed Democrats, “Let’s work on it collectively,” whereas stressing talks may solely occur “within the context of an open authorities.”
Trump additionally expressed openness to negotiating the subsidies however mentioned discussions couldn’t transfer ahead throughout a shutdown.
“They should do the precise factor, preserve the federal government open, after which we will discuss it,” one among them mentioned, in accordance with Politico.
Democrats dismissed these overtures.
“We predict once they say ‘later,’ they imply ‘by no means,’” Schumer instructed reporters. “We now have to do it now.” Jeffries added, “To kick the can down the highway and anticipate us to take a Hail Mary promise, that’s unreasonable.” Each leaders emphasised that Medicaid cuts and the looming subsidy expiration represented a well being care “disaster” for hundreds of thousands of Individuals.
Republicans countered that Democrats had been holding authorities funding “hostage” to coverage calls for. “I believe we’re headed right into a shutdown as a result of the Democrats received’t do the precise factor,” Vance mentioned. One other participant within the assembly described the dialogue as “frank” however mentioned the 2 sides had been “too far aside.”
Schumer later instructed reporters that Trump agreed with him that presidents sometimes take the blame for shutdowns.
“I mentioned, ‘You understand, the president will get the blame for these things.’ He admitted that.”
A supply briefed on the assembly disputed that account, insisting Trump solely famous presidents are often blamed however mentioned he wouldn’t be this time, Politico reported.
Senate Majority Chief John Thune denied any break up amongst Republicans.
“I believe Schumer is determined to alter the topic,” he mentioned.
White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed that framing: “President Trump gave Chuck Schumer and the Democrats a possibility to agree on a typical sense, nonpartisan answer that might preserve the federal government funded and open. Chuck Schumer and the Democrats have sadly chosen to choose a partisan battle and shut the federal government down.”
Past Washington, nonetheless, consideration centered squarely on Trump’s outrageous video publish.
“I’m sorry however the President shouldn’t be doing this sort of stuff on social media. It’s beneath the dignity of the workplace,” one critic wrote.
Others known as it racist towards Mexican Individuals and immigrants. Some mentioned Trump was purposely distracting from Republican accountability on the potential shutdown.
Conservatives, nonetheless, claimed Trump was highlighting Democratic proposals to increase advantages to undocumented immigrants. “I’d somewhat have our authorities SHUTDOWN than having my taxpayer cash fund illegals and transgender surgical procedures,” learn a publish from the conservative Fb web page Man Stuff.
Liberal commenters pushed again, pointing to Trump-era cuts that gutted Medicaid and jeopardized rural hospitals.
“Does he suppose we forgot in regards to the ‘BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL’ the REPUBLICANS pushed via and minimize funding to rural hospitals?” one mentioned. One other added: “GOP minimize funding to rural hospitals and are mad that this truth is being instructed to their constituents who had been ignorant to consider GOP cared about their well being and welfare.”
The problem has turn out to be politically perilous even for Republicans who backed Trump’s well being care bundle. Sen. Josh Hawley, who voted for the cuts, lately launched the Shield Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act to revive funding, underscoring the backlash in communities reliant on federal well being {dollars}.
Regardless of GOP efforts to shift blame, many observers famous that Republicans management the White Home and each chambers of Congress. As one viral remark put it, “Republicans management all branches of the federal government so if it shuts down Republicans personal it.”
