Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer just crossed a line — and President Trump is firing back.
In a stunning admission, Schumer bragged that the ongoing government shutdown is “getting better” for Democrats, even as American workers miss paychecks, families struggle, and military households turn to food pantries. The White House calls it “disgusting and revealing,” accusing Democrats of putting politics over people once again.
The White House slammed Senator Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for what officials are calling a “disgusting and revealing” comment about the ongoing government shutdown — a remark that’s causing outrage across the nation.
Schumer reportedly told Punchbowl News that the longer the shutdown continues, the better things get for Democrats.
“Each passing day works more in our favor,” Schumer remarked, adding that Democrats had anticipated health care would become the central issue and had planned accordingly. “Their entire strategy was to intimidate us, confuse us, and expect we’d cave within a couple of days.”
Republicans are accusing Schumer of celebrating hardship while millions of Americans feel the pain of Washington’s gridlock. Many believe he’s pandering to the progressive base of his party — especially with New York City Councilman Zohran Mamdani gaining traction in the mayoral race and speculation growing that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez might challenge Schumer for his Senate seat.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson blasted Schumer’s words in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital:
“Chuck Schumer just said the quiet part out loud. Democrats are gleefully inflicting pain on the American people to push free health care for illegal immigrants,” Jackson said.
She continued:
“Workers are missing paychecks, travelers are stranded, small businesses are suffering, and military families are turning to food pantries — yet Chuck Schumer says ‘every day gets better.’ That’s not leadership. That’s cruelty. It’s time for Democrats to stop inflicting pain on Americans and reopen the government now.”
But Schumer doubled down, claiming the shutdown only strengthens the Democrats’ case for more government-controlled health care.
“Every day our case gets stronger,” he said, insisting that rising health care premiums are “proof” Republicans are to blame.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called Schumer’s remarks “heartless” and “disgusting,” writing on X (formerly Twitter):
“While federal workers stress over missed paychecks and airports face delays, Schumer brags that ‘every day gets better’ for Democrats. What a disgusting and revealing statement.”
President Donald Trump also weighed in during Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, directly calling out Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
“Schumer and the Democrats are holding the entire federal government hostage,” Trump said. “He’s scared of AOC running for his seat — and honestly, his polls are so bad he’ll probably retire soon.”
Meanwhile, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced new shutdown guidelines that could prevent furloughed workers from receiving back pay — reversing a Trump-era policy from 2019 that guaranteed compensation after shutdowns.
That change raises the stakes and puts even more pressure on Democrats, who are increasingly blamed for the crisis. As President Trump said, “It’s time for Schumer and the Democrats to stop playing games and put the American people first.”
