With the end of January approaching and a possible government shutdown on the horizon, President Donald Trump renewed his call for Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster, arguing that the rule is standing in the way of progress. “The filibuster is hurting the Republican Party,” he said in an interview with Politico. “If you get rid of the filibuster, you’re not going to have a shutdown.” He added that without it, “you can do everything.”
Trump went further, saying that major policy goals would be easier to achieve if the procedural hurdle were removed. “You can do great healthcare if you get rid of the filibuster,” he said. “We can do everything we want.” Despite those comments, a number of Senate Republicans, including Majority Leader John Thune, continue to support keeping the filibuster, describing it as an important safeguard that encourages bipartisan cooperation. Ending it would also clear the way for other Republican initiatives, such as voter ID legislation.
In the same interview, Trump argued that the political stakes of the upcoming 2026 midterm elections will largely hinge on economic issues, particularly prices. He said voters will judge the election based on the direction of the country. “I think it’s going to be about the success of our country,” Trump said, speaking to Politico in an interview conducted Friday.
Trump placed responsibility for recent cost-of-living pressures on Democrats under Joe Biden, while insisting his administration is reversing that trend. “They gave us high pricing, and we’re bringing it down. Energy’s way down. Gasoline is way down,” he said.
Recent economic data has bolstered the administration’s argument. Over the past two weeks, a string of reports has suggested inflation is easing, a point the White House has emphasized as Americans continue to voice concerns about affordability. A Politico poll conducted last month found that many people still view everyday expenses — including groceries, utilities, healthcare, housing, and transportation — as too high.
Trump pushed back on that perception, citing falling energy-related costs. He said in the interview that “electricity is down. It’s way down.” He linked those declines to broader energy trends, explaining, “When the gasoline goes down, and when the oil and gas go down, the electricity comes down naturally.” He added, “But it’s all coming down. It’s all coming down. It’s coming beautifully.”
Pointing to broader economic growth, Trump highlighted new GDP figures released Wednesday. “You saw the 4.3%?” he said, referring to data showing the economy expanded at an annualized rate of 4.3% in the third quarter of 2025. He claimed the numbers triggered a strong reaction from political opponents, saying, “The Democrats were exploding. Their heads were exploding.”
Inflation data also showed improvement, with the Labor Department reporting that the consumer price index rose at an annual rate of 2.7% in November, the smallest year-over-year increase since July. Trump has cited those figures as further evidence that his administration is steering the economy in the right direction ahead of the next election cycle.
{Matzav.com}
