Topline
President Donald Trump told sports talk show host Pat McAfee that Republicans scored a “big win” after a group of eight Senate Democrats voted for the government funding bill slated to end the government shutdown, which has continued for 42 days.
Trump made the comments to McAfee on Tuesday. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Key Facts
In a live phone call with McAfee, Trump said, “We just had a big win with the opening against the Democrats,” a day after the Senate approved the government funding bill in a 60-40 vote.
Senators who voted for the bill were Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, who caucuses with Democrats, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., Tim Kaine, D-Va.
Some Democrats backed the bill after receiving Republican assurances the Senate would hold a mid-December vote on extending subsidies for the Affordable Care Act.
Democrats who crossed the aisle received backlash for supporting the bill, with lawmakers like Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., expressing doubt that Republicans will ultimately agree to extend subsidies.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
What Else Did Trump Tell Pat Mcafee?
Trump told the host, a former NFL punter whose show is known for its brash and at times controversial approach to covering topics in sports and pop culture, he only appeared “because I hear you say such nice things about me.” His appearance was focused around Veterans Day, but the president also took the opportunity to again voice his displeasure with the NFL’s recent changes to its kickoff rules and back former Alabama head football coach Nick Saban overseeing an overhaul of college athletics, specifically business aspects. Trump’s appearance on McAfee’s highly popular show, which is broadcast on ESPN and streams live on McAfee’s YouTube channel, is his latest engagement with a content creator largely appealing to a male, young audience. In the leadup to the 2024 election, the president made a string of appearances on podcasts and shows hosted by comedians Theo Von and Andrew Schultz, as well as influencers like Joe Rogan and the Nelk Boys.