President Donald Trump has acknowledged that the 36-day government shutdown played a critical role in the Republican Party’s poor showing in recent elections, describing it as a ‘big factor’ in their losses. Speaking at a breakfast with GOP lawmakers at the White House, Trump stated that the 36-day closure contributed to the party’s defeat, with pollsters noting its negative impact on Republicans. He also mentioned that his absence from the ballot was another possible reason for the setbacks. While not directly criticizing the party’s performance, Trump expressed disappointment with the election results, remarking that they were ‘not good’ for Republicans.
This admission comes amidst significant Democratic victories in key states, where economic concerns were prominent among voters. The shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, is expected to influence the upcoming midterm elections, with Democrats capitalizing on its political fallout. Trump has since urged his party to end the filibuster to expedite the resolution of the government shutdown, highlighting the growing urgency to restore government operations.