Trump Explodes At Schumer As Senate Leaves Town Without Nominee Deal

The U.S. Senate departed Washington on Saturday night, August 2, for its monthlong August recess without reaching a deal to advance dozens of President Donald Trump’s nominees. The impasse followed days of tense bipartisan negotiations—and an explosive social media outburst from Trump telling Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to “GO TO HELL!”

According to CNN, talks had been intensifying between Senate Republican Leader John Thune, Schumer, and White House officials in a last-minute effort to break the deadlock before lawmakers headed out of town.

Schumer reportedly demanded the release of frozen federal funds and a commitment from the White House not to pursue another budget-slashing legislative package. But Trump dismissed those demands on social media as “egregious and unprecedented,” signaling the collapse of negotiations.

Initially, Trump had demanded that the Senate remain in session until his nominees were confirmed, threatening to cancel the recess if necessary. But by Saturday night, he appeared to have abandoned that stance, venting online in a fiery post.

“Tell Schumer, who is under tremendous political pressure from within his own party—the Radical Left Lunatics—to GO TO HELL!” Trump wrote. “Do not accept the offer, go home and explain to your constituents what bad people the Democrats are, and what a great job the Republicans are doing, and have done, for our Country. Have a great RECESS.”

Back on the Senate floor, Thune made a final attempt to move forward by requesting unanimous consent to confirm a handful of nominees before adjournment. But Democrats, who had been stalling several lower-level confirmations, continued to block the effort with procedural delays.

To speed up the confirmation process, Schumer had proposed conditions including the unfreezing of funds for key programs such as the National Institutes of Health and foreign aid. He also sought assurances that Trump wouldn’t pursue another “rescissions” package—after an earlier $9 billion in cuts had already been pushed through.

At a press conference, Schumer criticized the president’s abrupt exit from negotiations.

“In a fit of rage, Trump threw in the towel, sent Republicans home, and was unable to do the basic work of negotiating,” Schumer said, holding up a printed copy of Trump’s post. “Is this the so-called ‘Art of the Deal’?”

While declining to share the full details of the talks, Schumer said real progress had been made on several fronts—until Trump walked away.