Salesman-in-chief: How Trump brokered a deal to avert a government shutdown

In a political maneuver that defied past congressional gridlock, President Donald Trump convinced a faction of Republican hardliners to support a short-term spending bill—something House speakers before him, from John Boehner to Kevin McCarthy, struggled to achieve.

Despite opposition from staunch conservatives, Trump’s personal intervention secured the necessary votes for the funding measure. House Republicans, including those historically opposed to such spending deals, credited the president’s direct involvement for swaying their decisions.

“He’s one of the only people up here I trust,” said Representative Eli Crane, who had previously supported McCarthy’s ousting over a similar spending plan. “I don’t want to see the president have to go make a deal with Democrats.”

Trump’s influence was not just about pressure but also about a calculated personal touch. Over a week-long effort, he and his team engaged lawmakers both publicly and privately to gain support for the bill. This strategy mirrored his earlier efforts in pushing through his Cabinet nominees in the Senate.

During negotiations, several Republican lawmakers outlined their concerns and conditions, particularly those facing tough primary challenges. Trump reportedly assured them of his continued backing, an assurance that helped win over reluctant members.

However, conflicting promises from the White House could present future challenges. Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee stated that Trump assured him of increased scrutiny on defense spending, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged to boost the Pentagon’s budget in separate talks with Republican senators. These discrepancies could complicate future negotiations.

For now, House Republicans are celebrating a political win, forcing Senate Democrats into a tough position regarding the funding bill. The GOP sees this as a preview of the political muscle Trump will need to flex for larger agenda items, including tax cuts, immigration policies, and widespread budget reductions.

In the lead-up to the vote, Trump personally reached out to over a dozen lawmakers and senators, even inviting members of the House Freedom Caucus to a private White House meeting. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer encouraged Trump’s legislative affairs team to use the meeting to address concerns early, ensuring support when the bill hit the House floor.

“This is a very difficult vote for them. They’ve never voted for one of these,” Emmer said. “The president’s been extremely gracious with his time in terms of talking to some of our members.”

The push for the bill extended beyond Trump. Vice President JD Vance made a direct appeal to House Republicans, warning that the GOP would be blamed if the government shut down. He emphasized the importance of maintaining political momentum for Trump’s key priorities, particularly border security. Meanwhile, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Budget Chief Russell Vought engaged with lawmakers, reinforcing Trump’s message.

Vought even met with members of the House Freedom Caucus, advocating for the stopgap measure as a means to maintain Republican control over government spending.

House GOP leadership had been laying the groundwork for weeks, preparing members for this type of spending bill. When they identified their most resistant holdouts, they turned to Trump to seal the deal. Representatives Beth Van Duyne of Texas and Rich McCormick of Georgia were among those persuaded after direct engagement with the president.

“He closes the deal,” a GOP source said.

Trump’s message to hesitant Republicans was simple: “Put your faith and trust in me, and I won’t burn you.”

However, his approach was not as conciliatory with every member. When Representative Thomas Massie refused to support the bill, Trump publicly called for his removal from Congress, writing on his Truth Social platform, “HE SHOULD BE PRIMARIED.” Notably, Trump did not attempt to persuade Massie before issuing the public rebuke.

Ultimately, Trump framed the spending bill as essential to advancing his broader policy goals. Many House conservatives backed the measure, viewing it as a way to give the president control over a federal government they’ve long distrusted.

“It’s about giving the president the keys to the car,” said Texas Representative Michael Cloud, who attended last week’s White House meeting with Trump. “If you saw a vehicle going down the road that didn’t have a driver in it, you don’t step out in front of it. You try to get in it, get control of it, and turn it around. That’s kind of what’s happening here.”

As Republicans celebrate this victory, Trump’s ability to maintain this level of influence in Congress will be tested as he pushes forward with his ambitious legislative agenda.