President Trump publicly exploded at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, declaring on Truth Social that Schumer should “GO TO HELL” after negotiations over confirming Trump’s nominees collapsed. Schumer had reportedly demanded the release of over $1 billion in NIH and foreign aid funding in exchange for approving a limited number of non‑controversial nominations, a condition Trump labeled “political extortion.”
Negotiations had appeared near a breakthrough, with Senate Republicans under pressure to confirm up to 60 of Trump’s nominees before recess. Democrats insisted on tying funding concessions to confirmations. Republicans grew frustrated by what they viewed as escalating demands. Trump called the proposal unprecedented and harmful to GOP credibility.
In his Truth Social post, Trump accused Schumer of demanding “over One Billion Dollars in order to approve a small number of our highly qualified nominees.” He urged Republicans to reject the deal, return home, and explain to voters that Democrats are the problem and Republicans are delivering for America.
With no deal, only seven nominees were confirmed before lawmakers adjourned for the August recess. Senate Majority Leader John Thune signaled lawmakers would reconsider procedural reforms—possibly invoking the Senate “nuclear option”—to accelerate confirmations in September.
Schumer attributed the breakdown to Trump’s refusal to compromise, while Republicans accused Democrats of repeatedly shifting demands. GOP senators, including Markwayne Mullin, said offers were made multiple times only for new conditions to arise.
The standoff deepens partisan gridlock at the Senate just weeks before critical government funding deadlines. Trump’s refusal to bend underscores his ongoing strategy to appeal directly to his base by siding against perceived Democratic obstruction.
