Trump Attributes Election Losses to Ongoing Government Shutdown

President Donald Trump has linked recent election defeats to the ongoing government shutdown, which has now reached 36 days. Speaking at a breakfast meeting with Republican senators in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Trump expressed frustration over the political deadlock affecting federal workers and essential services nationwide.

The day before, Republicans faced setbacks in several elections across the country, although these results will not change the balance of power in Washington. In New York City, progressive candidate Zohran Mamdani won a contentious mayoral race, a target of Trump's frequent criticism. Additionally, Democratic candidates were elected as governors in New Jersey and Virginia, further highlighting the challenges facing the Republican Party.

"If you read the posters, the shutdown was a big negative factor for the Republicans," Trump told the senators. He also speculated that his party's poor performance could be attributed to his absence from the ballot.

In California, a special election result added to Trump's troubles. The state has redrawn its electoral maps, which are expected to benefit Democrats in future elections. Governor Gavin Newsom has criticized Trump over these changes, asserting that they are necessary to counter similar Republican strategies.

Trump's remarks coincided with the shutdown surpassing the previous record of 35 days set during his first term in 2019. He has consistently blamed Democratic lawmakers for the impasse, which has left some federal employees unpaid and halted essential government programs. However, polls indicate that many Americans hold Trump and Republican lawmakers responsible for the situation.

To end the shutdown, Senate Republicans, despite holding a majority, need support from several Democrats. So far, Democrats have refused to cooperate, demanding the restoration of healthcare subsidies before discussing other legislation.

The shutdown has disrupted various aspects of daily life in the U.S. Services such as mail delivery and air traffic control are either closed or operated by unpaid workers. Public museums are closed, and national parks are not being maintained. The Department of Agriculture has reported that it has exhausted funds for monthly grocery stipends under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), impacting approximately 42 million people.