- President Trump’s nominees stalled after Truth Social post accused Democrats of political extortion.
- Schumer and Thune were nearing a bipartisan deal before Trump halted negotiations entirely.
- GOP lawmakers now eye September rule changes as Democrats warn of long-term institutional damage.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — A last-minute collapse in Senate negotiations over President Donald Trump’s nominees has upended Washington’s plans for a smooth August recess, as lawmakers traded blame following a scathing social media tirade by the president that torpedoed the fragile bipartisan talks. The failed deal would have confirmed as many as 60 Trump-selected nominees who had already cleared committee with broad support. But instead, only seven were confirmed in a flurry of late-night votes before lawmakers departed until September.
Trump’s Truth Social Blast Ends Talks
On Saturday night, President Trump detonated what many considered a nearly finalized agreement, posting an all-caps statement on Truth Social that directly accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., of extortion.
“This demand is egregious and unprecedented, and would be embarrassing to the Republican Party if it were accepted. It is political extortion, by any other name,” Trump posted.
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He warned Senate Republicans not to agree to the deal, adding:
“Do not accept the offer. Go home and explain to your constituents what bad people the Democrats are… Have a great RECESS and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
With that, GOP negotiators halted talks, leaving Senate Democrats stunned and infuriated.
Democrats Claim Negotiating Victory
Rather than admit defeat, Schumer framed the breakdown as a strategic win for Democrats, arguing that the president’s rash decision-making handed them leverage going forward.
“He took his ball, he went home, leaving Democrats and Republicans alike wondering what the hell happened,” Schumer said in a press conference beside a blown-up print of the president’s post.
“In a fit of rage, Trump threw in the towel, sent Republicans home, and was unable to do the basic work of negotiating.”
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Schumer, along with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., had spent days quietly hammering out a path forward—one that reportedly included Democrats accepting several non-controversial Trump nominees in exchange for the White House lifting holds on NIH and foreign aid funds.
GOP Says Schumer Moved the Goalposts
However, Republicans contend that Democrats changed their demands multiple times during the final 24 hours of talks.
“We’ve had three different deals since last night,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. “And every time it’s been, every time it’s ‘I want more.’”
Mullin, who was closely involved in the backroom haggling, defended Trump’s decision to pull the plug and blamed Schumer for overplaying his hand.
“They want to go out and say the president’s being unrealistic,” Mullin said. “It was never about making a deal.”
Senator Thune added that while progress was made at several points, consensus ultimately proved elusive.
“The asks evolved on both sides quite a bit over time,” he noted. “But in the end, we never got to a place where we had both sides agree to lock it in.”
Recess Appointments Off the Table—for Now
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