Nov 5, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Inside Trump's "uncomfortable" breakfast with Republican senators

Stef W. Kight

President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One — President Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One, Nov. 5. Photo: Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The room was "eerily silent" and "uncomfortable" Wednesday morning as President Trump cajoled Republican senators to end the filibuster, multiple attendees told Axios.

Why it matters: Trump warned the party would "get killed" and be viewed as "do-nothing Republicans" if they don't change Senate rules requiring 60 votes for most legislation.

"If you don't terminate the filibuster, you'll be in bad shape," the president told GOP senators during the televised portion of the breakfast remarks.
He went even further after the press was instructed to leave.

Zoom in: Trump dismissed Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-S.C.) suggestion that they again use the reconciliation process like they did with the "big, beautiful bill," according to a source in the room.

Trump blamed Tuesday night's sweeping Republican losses on the now-record shutdown, insisting behind closed doors that it has hurt their party far more than it has hurt Democrats.
GOP leaders have been arguing the opposite point for weeks.
Trump made clear that the shutdown needs to end as soon as possible, and ending the filibuster "this afternoon" would be the quickest way to accomplish that.

The bottom line: "I know where math is on this issue in the Senate. It's just not happening," Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters Wednesday morning.

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Inside Trump's "uncomfortable" breakfast with Republican senators

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