President Trump met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the White House on November 7, 2025, and reiterated his call for Senate Republicans to abolish the filibuster to end the ongoing government shutdown. The filibuster is a Senate rule that requires a 60-vote threshold to advance most legislation. Trump argued that eliminating the filibuster would allow Republicans to pass legislation and “open up the country” quickly.
Trump expressed frustration with Senate GOP leaders who have opposed his request to abolish the filibuster, saying “they’re making a big mistake” and that “only a foolish person would be against that.” He claimed that Democrats would eventually abolish the filibuster if they gain control of the Senate, and that Republicans should do it first to gain an advantage.
The president suggested that abolishing the filibuster would guarantee Republican victories in future elections, saying “we will never lose the midterms, and we will never lose the general election” if they can pass legislation without Democratic obstruction. However, he acknowledged that he doesn’t know how long the shutdown will last, saying “it’s up to the Democrats” to approve a deal to reopen the government.
Trump also claimed that Republicans have voted 14 times to “open up the country,” while Democrats have voted 14 times to “hurt the country.” He expressed openness to a deal with Democrats, but said “I don’t know, we’ll see what they have.” The president’s comments came as the government shutdown continues with no clear end in sight, and as Democrats and Republicans remain at an impasse over funding for Trump’s proposed border wall.
Overall, Trump’s comments reflect his frustration with the legislative process and his desire to use executive power to achieve his goals. However, his call to abolish the filibuster is unlikely to succeed, given the opposition from Senate GOP leaders and the potential consequences for Republican senators in future elections. The shutdown is likely to continue until a deal is reached between Democrats and Republicans, or until one side blinks and agrees to compromise.