PressAdda
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Amid the second-longest U.S. government shutdown in history—now dragging into its 30th day as of October 30, 2025—President Donald Trump is showing no signs of scaling back his high-profile schedule, defiantly continuing international travel, golf outings, and lavish fundraisers for his massive White House ballroom project, according to an exclusive ABC News/Associated Press report. This starkly contrasts with past shutdowns, including Trump’s own 35-day record-setter in 2018-19, when presidents like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama curtailed activities to express solidarity with furloughed workers.
The shutdown, triggered at 12:01 a.m. EDT on October 1 after Congress deadlocked on FY2026 funding, stems from Democrats’ insistence on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that expire at year’s end, versus GOP demands for a “clean” continuing resolution. Senate Democrats have blocked 13 Republican bills (54-45 votes each), while Trump labels it a “Democrat Shutdown” and vows to permanently axe “Democrat programs” via Project 2025 cuts led by OMB Director Russ Vought.
Trump’s unapologetic routine includes a six-day Asia swing—fresh off Middle East talks and sealing a China trade deal in Busan—alongside golf at his Florida estate and hosting elite donors in his 90,000-square-foot East Wing ballroom (under demolition), which raises $300 million. White House staff served burgers to GOP senators last week, with Trump quipping, “I don’t even know if they’re supposed to be working, but they wouldn’t miss a day.” He shrugged off closed museums: “We should probably just open them.” Cabinet allies like VP JD Vance, Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem, and Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth mirror the pace, traveling freely.
The human toll mounts brutally: 750,000 federal workers furloughed or unpaid, including air traffic controllers, causing 5,000+ daily flight delays (Newark ground stops, O’Hare chaos). 42 million SNAP recipients—kids, vets, and elderly—face a November 1 cutoff, sparking 25+ states’ lawsuits against the administration. House staff miss October 31 paychecks; NASA furloughs 15,000; military pay secured via $130M private donation (Timothy Mellon) + $8B rerouted funds. Judge halts 4,100+ layoffs as “illegal,” but 300,000 cuts were already executed pre-shutdown.
The blame game intensifies: CNN polls show 60% fault Trump/GOP (vs. 54% Dems). Schumer accuses Trump of “manufacturing a hunger crisis”; White House spox Abigail Jackson retorts, “President Trump is working night and day… highlighting families suffering from Democrats’ shutdown.” Experts split: Dem strategist Paul Begala calls it “falling feels like flying”; ex-Pence aide Marc Short praises it as “smarter” than 2018.
Economic drag: $14B GDP loss (CBO); Q4 growth 1-2%; Thanksgiving travel warnings. With midterm tests in Virginia/NJ (heavy fed workforce) tomorrow, the Senate reconvenes—but the GOP says, “Reopen first, negotiate later.” Trump returns from Asia today, eyeing an “unprecedented opportunity” to drain the swamp.
As the shutdown clock ticks toward a record, Trump’s ballroom booms while families go hungry—a high-stakes gamble on public tolerance. Will 5 Dems defect? Follow for live updates on the Trump Government Shutdown 2025.
