Trump hits back at '60 Minutes' host Norah O’Donnell over shutdown blame: ‘I won’t be extorted'

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: President Donald Trump, in his exclusive interview on '60 Minutes' aired Sunday, November 2, clashed with host Norah O'Donnell over who was to blame for the government shutdown, pushing back against suggestions that he was responsible.

He further asserted that he “won’t be extorted by the Democrats” and accused them of having “lost their way.”

Trump vows he ‘won’t be extorted’ by Dems as govt shutdown drags on

President Donald Trump said he “won’t be extorted” by Democrats to reopen the government, making it clear he has no plans to negotiate as the shutdown enters its sixth week.

He said Democrats demanding an extension of health care subsidies “have lost their way” and predicted they would eventually capitulate to Republicans, who have refused to negotiate until Democrats vote to reopen the government.

“I think they have to,” the president said. “And if they don’t vote, it’s their problem.”

Trump’s comments suggest the shutdown could continue for some time as federal workers, including air traffic controllers, are set to miss additional paychecks, and uncertainty grows over whether 42 million Americans who receive federal food aid will continue to access assistance.

At 33 days, this marks the second-longest government shutdown in US history. 

Trump blames Chuck Schumer for shutdown

Trump pinned the blame for the ongoing government shutdown on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, whom he described as a “basket case.” “He’s gonna be defeated in the next election by a vast number of people. And he has nothing to lose. He’s become a kamikaze pilot,” Trump said.

Last month, after Democrats blocked a Republican measure to reopen the government, Trump again targeted Schumer. “I don’t want to bore you with the fact that Schumer said 100 times, ‘You should never close our government,’” Trump told reporters at the White House.

He continued, “But Schumer is a weakened politician. I mean, he’s going to finish his career as a failed politician, as a failed politician. He’s allowed the radical left to take over the Democrat Party.”

During a press conference, Trump also called Schumer “an intelligent loser,” adding that he’s “losing IQ points with time.”   

Trump predicts Democrats will cave on shutdown

Trump said he believes Democrats will eventually capitulate and vote to end the government shutdown. “And if they don’t vote, that’s their problem,” he said.

Trump added that he thinks “we should do the nuclear option … ending the filibuster,” a move Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said he’s unwilling to support. 

“The Republicans have to get tougher. If we end the filibuster, we can do exactly what we want,” the president said. “We’re not going to lose power.”