President Donald Trump criticized Democratic lawmakers on Fox News Thursday morning, accusing them of prolonging the federal government shutdown due to what he described as “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

The shutdown, now in its 19th day, has become one of the longest in modern history.

“We have a deal. We just want an extension,” President Trump said during the interview.

“And the reason we want an extension is because you can’t make a deal with these people. They’re lunatics. They’re gone crazy. They’re crazed people. Trump derangement syndrome. There really is that disease. At first, I found it to be amusing. Now, I find there really is — they want $1.5 trillion for health care for illegal aliens. If we do that, it will jeopardize the health care of the citizens of our country. So we’re not going to do that.”

🚨 JUST NOW: President Trump says TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME has pushed Democrats to demand $1.5 TRILLION for illegal aliens…

…but Trump says it will NEVER happen.

“They’ve gone crazy. They’re crazed people. Trump derangement syndrome! There really is that disease. At first… pic.twitter.com/KXtsN52fzp

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 19, 2025

President Trump went on to argue that the ongoing government closure is being used by Democrats as a political tool rather than a policy disagreement.

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He also noted that his administration still retains authority over spending decisions during a shutdown, suggesting that Democrats miscalculated the situation.

“They’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” Trump said.

“They made one mistake. They didn’t realize that [the Schumer Shutdown] gives me the right to cut programs… giveaways, welfare programs, etc., and we’re doing that. We’re cutting them permanently.”

“They’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” says @POTUS.

“They made one mistake. They didn’t realize that [the Democrat Shutdown] gives me the right to cut programs… giveaways, welfare programs, etc., and we’re doing that. We’re cutting them permanently.” pic.twitter.com/teTquv1d5d

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 19, 2025

According to Townhall, the Trump administration has announced that it will pause $11 billion in federal projects as part of budgetary adjustments during the ongoing funding lapse.

The partial shutdown, which began on October 1, marks the third-longest government closure since 1981.

Negotiations between the White House and congressional Democrats remain stalled, with both sides accusing the other of political obstruction.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has declined to advance measures that would temporarily reopen the government without broader concessions on funding priorities.

According to Republican leaders, Schumer has refused at least ten separate opportunities to end the shutdown since it began.

The deadlock has halted pay for thousands of federal employees and raised concerns about the continued operation of certain programs.

Officials have warned that if the standoff persists, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—relied upon by an estimated 42 million Americans—could face distribution delays in the coming weeks.

President Trump said he remains open to negotiations but emphasized that his administration will not agree to policies that he believes endanger American citizens’ benefits.

“They want $1.5 trillion for health care for illegal aliens,” he reiterated during the Fox News interview.

“If we do that, it will jeopardize the health care of the citizens of our country.”

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., urged Democrats to end the impasse and support legislation to fund essential government services. Johnson said the ongoing closure is needlessly harming American workers and families while Democratic leaders focus on political messaging.

The First Amendment gives Americans the right to free speech and peaceful protest — it’s one of the MANY things that make America great.

But the irony here is obvious:

If President Trump were a “king,” the government would be OPEN!

Democrats needed a spectacle. Chuck Schumer… pic.twitter.com/iA3aPaESiW

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) October 19, 2025

While the White House has maintained that it continues to seek a workable resolution, officials confirmed that the administration will continue exercising spending discretion in the meantime.

The duration of the shutdown remains uncertain as both parties show no signs of backing down ahead of the next legislative session.