Did Trump cave to Fox News over the shutdown?


As goes Ann Coulter, so goes President Trump?
After the White House signaled earlier this week that Trump would likely back away from his demand for $5 billion in border wall funding to prevent a partial government shutdown, the president on Thursday afternoon said the demand is back on. He's refusing to sign a stopgap spending bill that would prevent a shutdown because it doesn't have the border wall funding he has demanded.
This comes after Trump was being hammered within conservative media for seeming open to passing the bill without wall funding in it. Conservative commentator Ann Coulter was particularly harsh on Wednesday, suggesting Trump may have "scammed the American people" and theorizing his campaign pledge to build the wall was a lie. Trump, clearly, saw her comments, as he unfollowed her on Twitter shortly after.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
She was hardly alone. As pointed out by CNN's Oliver Darcy, Breitbart declared Wednesday that Trump had caved on the wall, while Drudge Report ran with the headline "Trump in Retreat." Rush Limbaugh was similarly frustrated, saying per The Hill that if Trump signs the stopgap spending bill, he "gets nothing and the Democrats get everything."
On Fox News, the assessment wasn't any less dire. The hosts of Fox & Friends on Wednesday described the "stunning turn of events," with host Steve Doocy saying, "Democrats will win everything they want," per The Daily Beast. This was the sentiment all over the network, and a panelist during an Outnumbered segment Thursday concluded, "The president is getting steamrolled," per Mediaite.
This all seems to have really gotten to Trump. CNN's Kaitlan Collins reported earlier on Thursday that the president was becoming "very sensitive" to criticism in the conservative media. His decision not to sign the Senate bill came hours later.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Gavin Newsom mulls California redistricting to counter Texas gerrymandering
TALKING POINTS A controversial plan has become a major flashpoint among Democrats struggling for traction in the Trump era
-
6 perfect gifts for travel lovers
The Week Recommends The best trip is the one that lives on and on
-
How can you get the maximum Social Security retirement benefit?
the explainer These steps can help boost the Social Security amount you receive
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein
-
Fed chair Powell in Trump's firing line
Speed Read The president considers removing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
-
Trump trashes supporters over Epstein files
speed read The president lashed out on social media following criticism of his administration's Jeffrey Epstein investigation
-
Judge nixes wiping medical debt from credit checks
Speed Read Medical debt can now be included in credit reports
-
Grijalva wins Democratic special primary for Arizona
Speed Read She will go up against Republican nominee Daniel Butierez to fill the US House seat her father held until his death earlier this year
-
US inflation jumps as Trump tariffs 'bite'
Speed Read Consumer prices are climbing and the inflation rate rose to its highest level in four months
-
SCOTUS greenlights mass DOE firings
Speed Read The Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to further shrink the Education Department