The Five Discusses Government Shutdown, Trump's Support, and Political Strategy

Government Shutdown Dynamics

• 🎯 President Trump hosted Republican senators, criticizing Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown and their priorities.
• ⚠️ Democrats are reportedly terrified of backlash from their base if they vote to end the shutdown, with some senators fearing "the guillotine."
• 📈 Despite the shutdown, President Trump's net approval rating has increased by one point, suggesting the shutdown is not hurting his support.

Political Polling and Strategy

• 📊 A poll indicates that Democrats have gained seven points in party ID since the start of the year, resembling the 2018 cycle.
• 🗣️ The argument is made that Republicans are losing the shutdown battle by 10-15 percentage points, with the public blaming them as the party in charge.
• 🏛️ Speaker Mike Johnson is reportedly keeping the government closed, not allowing House members to return to work, while the Senate is not voting to open it.

Media Coverage and Democratic Messaging

• 📺 Crazy Bernie believes the media is on Trump's side, suggesting a narrative that ordinary people have no power against billionaires and media control.
• 📰 Dana Perino notes that Democrats are not effectively communicating their case on the shutdown, often changing the topic and not making it a front-page issue.
• 💰 Consultants are reportedly not prioritizing the shutdown in advertising, focusing instead on issues like abortion, indicating it's not working for them.

Government's Role and Essential Services

• 🧐 Greg Gutfeld posits that politicians fear people realizing much of the government's work is non-essential, and the government has become a self-preserving monster.
• 🚫 He argues that if one is against an intrusive government, a shutdown should be welcomed as it gets the government "out of your way."
• 💰 The hypocrisy of focusing on billionaires is highlighted, with the argument that attention should be on more pressing issues like crime and illegal immigration.

Healthcare and Senate Actions

• 🩺 A plan to extend healthcare subsidies for a year and address rising costs was put forth by Mike Lawler with 13 Democrats, but Senate Democrats have not partnered on it.
• 📉 The Senate has voted down Continuing Resolutions (CRs) 12 times, contrasting with 13 times they voted for CRs during Biden's tenure, suggesting the only change is the president.
• 💰 Democrats are accused of maximizing pain to cater to the radical left, refusing to pass measures like paying the military and workers.