I used to like Elon Musk

The U.S. Government Shutdown of 2025 with 41 days was the longest shutdown in American history. A Government Shutdown is also known as funding gap. There was a standoff between Republicans and Democrats over the budget 2026. Democrats refused to allow the budget to pass unless the Republicans agreed to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, part of the Obamacare, which is used by more than 20 million American citizens. Democrats label the attempt to shutdown the government as an attack with the goal to hurt American people, especially those in need of help.

Mass firings of federal employees

Donald Trump said I couldn't believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecendented opportunity on his Truth Social platform with this shutdown to lay off thousands of government workers. This sounded revenge- and hateful, also indicated by the spelling mistake in "unprecendented".

The president went ahead and ordered layoffs of workers "not aligned ideologically with the president", as William Resh, a professor at Georgia State University put it. I am wondering why Trump can act like the boss of any company — ordering this usually HR handles.

AI generated

Trump refuses to pay SNAP benefits

The president refused to SNAP benefits during the government shutdown, possibly exposing more than 20 million Americans to starvation. Soon an oral ruling by the federal judge Judge Jack McConnell of Rhode Island directed the government that those food stamp benefits are to be paid out, stating "There is no doubt, and it is beyond argument, that irreparable harm will begin to occur if it hasn't already occurred in the terror it has caused some people about the availability of funding for food for their family." After the ruling a coalition of plaintiffs stated "Today's ruling is a lifeline for millions of families, seniors, and veterans who depend on SNAP to put food on the table" and added "It reaffirms a fundamental principle: no administration can use hunger as a political weapon". Schumer added "Trump's decision to cut off SNAP was vindictive and heartless".

Later this ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court. Their judges stated that the problem originated from within the Congress, thus it's the job of the Congress to solve it. As a result the payouts were reduced to 60 %.i And to pay back in case they already paid out 100 % already, which several Democrat lead States refused. Some Governors stating to take Trump to court.

Flights canceled

Air traffic controllers are also among the group of workers loosing payment when the government shuts down. Without pay some called in sick. As a result many flights were delayed or even canceled. Passengers lining up at airports for hours. Some to only being sent home after they heard their flight won't depart, and there would also be no alternative flight. This situation is especially bad just before the holidays (Thanksgiving) when people want to unite with their families. It also has an impact on cargo flights and is going to leave a dent in the U.S. economy.

A compromise offered by the Democrats

The Democratic representative Chuck Schumer came up with a compromise which might allow to reopen the government. His proposal was for the Republicans to pass a so called "clean resolution", which would provide short term funding with the Republicans agreeing to a one year extension of the ACA subsidies. It would allow to reopen the government while giving time to negotiate a long time health care affordability.

To me it seems Republicans want to extend the shutdown even further by brushing off the compromise, without giving a reasonable explanation for turning it down. Republican senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina for example stated "We should not be made to continue flooding health insurance companies with taxpayer dollars under Obamacare as the price to open up the government" and continued "My no vote will be an unequivocal rejection of Senator Schumer's very bad idea." This doesn't sound like a well thought answer. More like "Although we have to good reply to this we have to say something."

The shutdown backfires at Trump

Donald Trump tried to use the shutdown for his advantage. Even went so far to have citizens to go hungry.

Unfortunately for Trump in November election were held in Virginia, New Jersey, as well the election for the Major in New York City. The young Moslem Mamdami was elected in N.Y.C. Trump hated him, and even endorsed Mamdani's democrat opponent. All turned out to either flip from a Republican ruled State to a new democratic Governor, or a huge majority for the ruling democratic leaders. Mamdani for example got the absolute majority.

People were voting with their feet. There were more people voting than in previous elections. Some of those being asked in a poll why they voted said "To oppose Trump". I think you can say this shutdown, of what Trump hoped he could drew advantages over the Democrats, backfired badly. Supposedly many Republicans voters now cast a vote for the democrats because they have enough of the selfish Donald Trump, only thinking about his and his tech oligarchs benefits, while consumer prices and the inflation rises. Even after one year in Office Trump could not serve any of the promises he made in his presidential campaign 2024.

Government reopened - Democrates caved in

On Sunday November 9th the Democrats caved in. Eight of the broke with their party's leadership and agreed to a deal which did open the Government again, but abolished its key demands of protecting health care of more than 20 million Americans. Instead the new agreement includes a guarantee of the Republican party to allow the vote of the health care bill in Senate. I don't think this was a good idea, because the vote my fail, and if, Democrats gave away pretty much all leverage they possessed against the Republican dominated houses.

Democtates had it all. Stpped Republicans, voter blaming Republicans for the shitdown, audience bbing Trump at a football game, sweeping election wins at the weeked. aJust to caetrayede in and give it all away, because 8 Senators senators, none of them running for office in 2026, bd the rest of the party. Shame on you!