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Donald Trump (AP)
US President Donald Trump said he will not meet with Democratic leaders in Congress, accusing them of making unserious demands during talks to avoid a government shutdown.“I have decided that no meeting with their Congressional Leaders could possibly be productive,” Trump said through a post on Truth Social. Trump was scheduled to meet with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Thursday, Sept. 25, to discuss the budget deadlock. Lawmakers had failed the previous week to pass any short-term funding measures before leaving for a holiday recess, as cited by USA Today. Trump claimed Democrats want over $1 trillion in new spending, which he termed a “monumental cost”, including funding for healthcare for undocumented immigrants, gender transition surgeries for minors, and policies on immigration and sports that he called extreme.“The Democrats in Congress seem to have totally lost their way,” he said.He also criticized Democrats for attempting to cut the $50 billion Rural and Vulnerable Hospital Fund, which he said was created by Republicans and passed into law under his administration.Trump warned that their policies on issues such as immigration, taxes, and “transgender surgery” would harm the country.Trump added that he is open to meeting with Democrats if they change their approach and agree to what he called “common sense” priorities. “I look forward to meeting with you when you become realistic about the things that our Country stands for. DO THE RIGHT THING!” he added.Democrats have said they will not back government funding unless Republicans address rising healthcare costs, including by reversing recent Medicaid cuts and extending Obamacare premium subsidies.“Trump always chickens out,” Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said through a post on X, adding that “extremists want to shut down the government because they are unwilling to address the Republican healthcare crisis that is devastating America.”Democratic leaders warned that responsibility for a government shutdown would rest solely with the US president.
