Trump Pens Deal to End Record 43-Day U.S. Shutdown, Blasts Democrats in Fiery Signing Ceremony
In a dramatic Oval Office ceremony late Wednesday, President Donald Trump inked a funding bill that slams the door on the longest U.S. government shutdown ever—43 grueling days of furloughs, flight snarls, and empty pantries—restoring cash flow to federal agencies and promising back pay to over a million idled workers.
Flanked by GOP leaders like House Speaker Mike Johnson and business bigwigs, Trump hailed it as “a great day” for America, beaming that the nation “has never been in better shape” despite the chaos.
The measure, which squeaked through the House 222-209 along party lines after Senate arm-twisting, pumps funds through January 30, averts deeper SNAP cuts, and shields programs for vets, rural health, and child care—though it kicks the can on expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies to a December vote.
But the victory lap quickly turned into a partisan roast. Trump torched Democrats as extortionists who let “millions of Americans suffer” over “purely political reasons,” vowing voters won’t forget come the 2026 midterms.
He swiped at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer—”He thought he could break the Republican Party, and the Republicans broke him”—and griped about healthcare subsidy fights that could’ve “hurt our businesses.”
The standoff, kicking off October 1 over spending spats and ACA extensions, wrecked 20,000+ flights, starved SNAP benefits for 40 million, and torched $11 billion in GDP—per CBO math—with no wall funding or filibuster nukes in sight.
Trump’s approval took a hit, but he’s spinning it as a GOP rout, urging “We can never let this happen again” while eyeing debt piles nearing $40 trillion.
Federal wheels should spin up by Thursday, but the blame game—and budget brinkmanship—lingers, with Democrats eyeing off-year wins as ammo.
