President Donald Trump delivered a brutal reality check to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Tuesday, declaring that Democrats “have no leader” and no plan to end the ongoing government shutdown.
From the Oval Office, Trump contrasted his own decisive leadership with what he called “Democrat dysfunction,” comparing their chaos to a country without order.
“The Democrats have no leader. They remind me of Somalia,” Trump said while meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. “I just don’t know if Schumer has any power anymore. I look at their leadership and I don’t even know who to talk to.”
🔥 Trump Takes Direct Aim at Washington Waste
The president also hinted the shutdown could continue into next week, revealing his administration is preparing major government reforms and permanent staffing cuts.
“We have a lot of things we’re going to eliminate — and permanently,” Trump said, suggesting that some furloughed workers may not receive back pay once the government reopens.
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is reportedly drafting new guidelines that could end the era of automatic back pay and reduce federal bureaucracy — a move likely to thrill conservatives who’ve long demanded accountability in Washington spending.
💥 Schumer “Petrified” of Ocasio-Cortez Challenge
Trump didn’t stop there. He blasted Schumer for allegedly fearing a 2028 primary challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, calling him “petrified” and “weak.”
“Schumer’s scared of his own party — he’s probably going to lose, and not just to AOC. He’s lost control of everything,” Trump remarked.
While Schumer avoided responding directly, the Democrat leader faces growing unrest inside his own ranks. Only a few Democrats — including John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Angus King — have sided with Republicans to reopen the government.
💰 Trump Slams Democrats’ “Illegal Immigrant Healthcare” Plan
Trump also pushed back against a Democratic spending proposal that would pour nearly $200 billion over ten years into healthcare for illegal immigrants, including hospital reimbursements and Obamacare subsidies.
“We’re talking about good things for the American people — not giveaways for people who broke our laws,” Trump said firmly.
The president emphasized that his goal is affordable, American-first healthcare, and that his team is negotiating “a much better system than what we have now.”
🇺🇸 “Hang In There — Great Things Are Coming”
Despite the tense standoff, Trump projected optimism.
“Just hang in there,” he told reporters. “A lot of good things are going to happen — especially on healthcare.”
Schumer, meanwhile, tried to rally his base by retweeting Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene — who surprised many by supporting temporary healthcare subsidies to protect middle-class families. Schumer’s tweet read, “NEWS: I agree with @RepMTG,” but critics saw it as proof of how confused Democrats have become.
As the shutdown drags on, one thing is clear: Trump’s leadership style — bold, direct, and unfiltered — continues to dominate Washington’s attention, while Democrats appear lost in their own internal power struggle.