Trump Warns That the Government Shutdown Is “Killing” Republicans Politically

Trump Issues the Government Shutdown Warning

Republicans Fear Losing Support

Democrats Gain Electoral Momentum

U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that the federal government shutdown, now the longest in the nation’s history, is “killing” Republicans politically following a string of Democratic victories in recent local elections.

During a private breakfast at the White House with Republican senators, Trump analyzed the election results and expressed concern over the political fallout of the ongoing shutdown, according to sources cited by CNN.

Trump Warning of Internal Republican Crisis After Government Shutdown

Donald Trump warned that the government shutdown is “killing” Republicans politically following Democratic victories in recent state elections. https://t.co/OYeG266ZaO

— El Universal (@El_Universal_Mx) November 5, 2025

Republicans suffered electoral setbacks on multiple fronts.

Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral race, while the Democratic Party also claimed victory in the gubernatorial elections of New Jersey and Virginia.

Trump reportedly told lawmakers that these results represent a serious warning for the GOP ahead of upcoming election cycles.

RELATED: Trump Admits Lessons After Democratic Victories: “It Wasn’t Good for Anyone, But We Learned a Lot”

The president acknowledged that the shutdown, caused by a standoff over the federal budget and funding for key programs, is damaging the party’s public image.

According to insiders, Trump cautioned that maintaining the current hardline stance could lead to further electoral losses, particularly in the 2026 midterms.

Trump Pushes to Eliminate the Filibuster

The government shutdown is politically killing Republicans. #ElNuevoDiarioRD pic.twitter.com/xx5FTBidBV

— El Nuevo Diario (@elnuevodiariord) November 6, 2025

During the meeting, Trump urged Republicans to end the Senate filibuster, a rule requiring 60 votes to pass major legislation.

He argued that without removing the filibuster, it would be impossible to approve a budget and reopen federal agencies.

Currently, Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, meaning they need at least seven Democratic votes to meet the required threshold.

However, party leaders have rejected Trump’s proposal, fearing that if Democrats win the Senate majority in 2026, they could push through their legislative agenda without restraint, according to EFE.

Resistance Within the GOP

After the meeting, several Republican senators made it clear they remained unconvinced by Trump’s arguments.

While some agreed that the federal shutdown poses a serious political risk, most insisted that changing Senate rules is not the solution.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated bluntly that there is not enough support to eliminate the filibuster.

“There aren’t enough votes,” Thune said, effectively shutting down Trump’s proposal.

The meeting exposed deep divisions within the Republican Party between those backing Trump’s confrontational strategy and those who fear the lasting damage of the government shutdown among voters.

Meanwhile, the president faces growing pressure to reach a budget deal that would reopen the government and stop the political bleeding he himself admitted is already “killing” his party.