Trump calls on Democrats to reopen government before health care talks

President Trump on Monday demanded that Democrats vote to reopen the federal government before he would consider any deal on extending health care tax credits, a move that appeared to mark a hardening of his position amid the ongoing shutdown.

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump accused Democrats of shutting down the government “right in the midst of one of the most successful Economies” and said the closure had disrupted essential services across the country.

“Democrats have SHUT DOWN the United States Government right in the midst of one of the most successful Economies, including a Record Stock Market, that our Country has ever had,” Trump wrote Monday evening. “This has sadly affected so many programs, services, and other elements of Society that Americans rely on — And it should not have happened.”

“I am happy to work with the Democrats on their Failed Healthcare Policies, or anything else,” Trump added, “but first they must allow our Government to re-open. In fact, they should open our Government tonight!”

The post came just hours after Trump appeared to signal openness to negotiations on health care, a key sticking point in the funding dispute that has shuttered the government since Wednesday. Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, Trump said his administration was in talks with Democrats “that could lead to very good things” regarding health care policy.

Asked whether he would consider a deal to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies — a top Democratic priority — Trump suggested he might. “If we made the right deal, I’d make a deal. Sure,” he said, while criticizing the ACA’s subsidy structure as wasteful. “You have subsidies, that’s the problem with ObamaCare. The subsidies are so much, it’s billions and billions of dollars being wasted.”

Democratic leaders disputed Trump’s assertion that any talks were underway.

“I do not know of any Democrats who have spoken to President Trump or members of his administration on this issue of reopening the government, enacting a bipartisan spending agreement, and addressing the Republican health care crisis,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters Monday.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) issued a similar statement, saying Democrats were not involved in any negotiations but remained open to discussions. “Trump’s claim isn’t true — but if he’s finally ready to work with Democrats, we’ll be at the table,” Schumer said.

The shutdown began last week after Senate negotiators failed to reach a deal on a government funding bill. Democrats have insisted that any agreement include an extension of enhanced ACA tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year. The subsidies, expanded under COVID-era legislation, help millions of Americans afford health coverage through the ACA marketplaces.

If the credits lapse, premiums for ACA enrollees could rise by more than 75 percent on average, according to estimates from the nonpartisan health policy research group KFF.

Republican leaders have argued that the health care issue should be addressed separately from government funding, maintaining that Democrats are holding up must-pass legislation for unrelated policy goals. With no votes scheduled in the House this week, prospects for a quick resolution appear dim.

The standoff marks the first major fiscal crisis of Trump’s second term, testing both his relationship with a divided Congress and his ability to navigate a complex policy fight that could have sweeping effects on health care costs for millions of Americans.