United States President Donald Trump has cancelled a planned meeting with top Democrats in Congress as a government shutdown continues to loom.
The meeting was planned to take place before the 30 September deadline for Congress to pass a funding resolution to keep the federal government operating.
Trump has since taken to Truth Social to announce that he would be cancelling the meeting.
“After reviewing the details of the unserious and ridiculous demands being made by the Minority Radical Left Democrats in return for their Votes to keep our thriving Country open, I have decided that no meeting with their Congressional Leaders could possibly be productive,” he posted.
“I look forward to meeting with you when you become realistic about the things that our Country stands for.”
The meeting cancellation increases the likelihood of a government shutdown.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries requested the meeting to discuss funding to preserve health care programs and keep them running beyond the 30 September program, and to avoid a shutdown.
Both Schmuer and Jeffries have criticised Trump for cancelling the meeting.
“Trump Always Chickens Out. The extremists want to shut down the government because they are unwilling to address the Republican healthcare crisis that is devastating America,” Jeffries posted to X.
"Today seems to be tantrum day for Donald Trump. Mr. President: Do your job. Stop ranting. Stop these long diatribes that mean nothing to anyone,” Schumer said in a press conference in New York.
Lawmakers now have until 1 October to pass a government funding extension while Democrats and Republicans are still divided.
