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President Donald Trump criticized Democrats for prolonging the government shutdown in an interview Sunday and vowed to permanently eliminate what he called Democratic “welfare programs.”
“The Democrats are kamikazes right now. They are kamikaze pilots right now. They have nothing going. They have no future,” Trump said during an exclusive interview on “Sunday Morning Futures.”
Trump argued that Democrats lack strong leadership and viable candidates for the upcoming elections. He said the shutdown impasse gives him leverage to cut billions in programs that Republicans have long wanted to eliminate.
GOP BLAMES SCHUMER FOR SHUTDOWN TO SHUT DOWN 'MARXIST FLANK' AMID BUZZ OF AOC PRIMARY CHALLENGE
US President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One in Washington, DC, on October 17. (Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“They didn't realize that gives me the right to cut programs that Republicans never wanted: you know, handouts, welfare programs,” he said. “And we are doing it. We will cut them off permanently.”
The Trump administration claims that under shutdown rules it has the authority to freeze or suspend certain federal programs and projects.
TRUMP REVERSES HIS LOCKDOWN APPROACH, LETTING CONGRESS TAKE THE HEAT
The shutdown, now approaching its third week, began after Democrats refused to pass a funding bill unless it included an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire in 2025. As a result, pay for hundreds of thousands of federal employees has been put on hold.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speak to reporters after meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on September 29, 2025. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Democrats argue that if no action is taken before open enrollment in November, millions of Americans could face higher premiums.
The White House says Democrats are pushing billions for Medicaid coverage for illegal immigrants, which Trump warns would “endanger” Americans' health care.
ANDREW CUOMO WARNS SOCIALISM COULD MEAN 'DEATH OF NEW YORK', COURTS TO REPUBLICAN VOTERS IN MAYORAL CAMPUS
Trump also weighed in on the New York City mayoral race, saying he believes the city could soon elect what he called a “communist mayor,” a reference to Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani.
Mamdani, a state assemblyman from Queens who has described himself as a democratic socialist, received overwhelming support from younger voters during the city's primary.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani attend a campaign rally at Lou Gehrig Plaza in the Bronx on September 2. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“I looked at it [Mamdani] “He's been interviewed a couple of times and he's pretty skilled, but he doesn't have what it takes,” Trump said, warning that New York will be in “big trouble” if Mamdani wins.
Trump has frequently criticized Mamdani for his stance on police and business. Mamdani previously made comments calling the New York City Police Department “racist, anti-queer, and a major threat to public safety” on social media in 2020.
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Mamdani appeared last week on Fox News Channel's “The Story,” where he apologized to the NYPD for his past comments and addressed Trump directly, saying he's willing to partner with anyone to make New York City more affordable.
