Donald Trump's inaugural White House meeting with congressional leaders, aimed at averting a government shutdown, was marked by 'Trump 2028' hats, a serious discussion on healthcare, a failure to reach a deal, and later, a controversial 'sombrero' video, highlighting the President's 'unserious' approach to bipartisan negotiations.
Days before a looming government shutdown, Donald Trump held his first White House meeting with congressional leadership, including Vice President JD Vance and Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer. The session quickly became 'unserious' with the appearance of 'Trump 2028' hats on the president's desk, a moment Jeffries later described as 'theatrics.' What was intended to be a historic gathering devolved into viral trolling, ultimately failing to strike a deal to prevent a federal government closure. During the meeting, Democrats pressed for saving healthcare funding, particularly making Affordable Care Act subsidies permanent, which Trump reportedly listened to more than he spoke, with Schumer suggesting the President seemed unaware of rising healthcare premiums. Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator John Thune, also discussed healthcare, with Johnson praising Trump's leadership. Johnson had initially tried to dissuade Trump from meeting Democrats, fearing it would be a 'waste of time.' The article notes Trump's history of making deals with Democrats ('Chuck and Nancy') in his first term, frustrating his own party. Republicans expressed skepticism about Trump's alleged ignorance of healthcare issues. Hours after the meeting, Trump's team posted a widely criticized, 'racist' fake video showing Jeffries in a sombrero. Jeffries condemned the president's 'unhinged and unserious action,' emphasizing that the meeting, despite its theatrics, should have set a baseline for bipartisan progress, but instead deteriorated.
