Another shutdown looms as Trump promises loyalty purges
The David Pakman Show - September 30, 2025
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The federal government is set to shut down after midnight if Congress fails to pass the necessary appropriations. These recurring shutdowns are a manufactured crisis that hurt everyday Americans while politicians treat the standoff like a game. Shutdowns punish workers, veterans, contractors, small businesses, and families waiting on benefits, while media coverage focuses on blame rather than harm. Even after the government opens back up, agencies remain backlogged and public confidence erodes.
Grocery prices have reached record highs, with staples like ground beef, coffee, steaks, apples, and bananas climbing sharply. Supply chain disruptions, labor and fuel costs, and corporate profiteering all contribute, but self-imposed tariffs, such as a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian coffee, have worsened the situation. Households feel the impact every week, undermining Donald Trump’s repeated promises to make America affordable.
Leaked texts reveal that senior officials in Trump’s administration are aware of the failures of his economic policies. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins texted Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant that Argentina had sold large soybean quantities to China, cutting the United States out of a key market. Despite recognizing the harm, officials continue to publicly claim the policies are working. The decline in exports, rising consumer costs, and supply chain disruptions are unfolding exactly as economists predicted.
At a meeting with top generals, admirals, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump threatened to fire any military member he deemed disloyal. This loyalty test is aimed at ensuring obedience, even to potentially unlawful orders.
Trump’s attempt to announce an Israeli-Gaza peace framework further revealed incompetence. He proposed a new international “Board of Peace” and immediately put himself in charge, mispronouncing key terms and limiting press questions. Hamas is unlikely to accept the framework and the plan lacks enforceable commitments.
Even loyal MAGA allies are beginning to defy Trump. Marjorie Taylor Greene supported a bipartisan effort to release Jeffrey Epstein documents despite warnings from White House aides. Her actions show cracks in Trump’s loyalty-driven movement and suggest internal fractures among MAGA leaders.
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut says the looming government shutdown is driven by Republican strategy, not necessity. He calls for reforms like multi-year budgets and warns against Democrats funding censorship and political repression.
On today’s bonus show:
New Epstein documents list Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and Steve Bannon, though details are scarce. Trump settles a $24 million YouTube lawsuit, raising questions about intimidation and censorship claims. And Bad Bunny is announced as the next Super Bowl halftime performer, sparking right-wing backlash.
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Love your work, keep it up. Hopefully the shutdown will shutup the Mad Hater (sic)
Absolutely right, David! If I was on a project and needed our CapX number by a Specific Date, and missed it, I would be suspended or fired. How do we punish government officials?