• Trump cancels meeting with Schumer and Jeffries, blaming unworkable demands.
• Democrats argue Trump's actions lead to a potential government shutdown.
• Negotiations over healthcare funding remain a core issue in the standoff.

As the deadline for a government shutdown approaches on September 30, President Trump has canceled a scheduled meeting with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, labeling their demands as "unserious and ridiculous." Trump's decision follows a failed attempt by Congress to pass funding measures, with an emphasis on health care issues that Democrats insist must be addressed in any agreement to keep the government running, according to CBS News, India Times, and The Hill.

Schumer and Jeffries had previously issued a statement expressing hope for a constructive dialogue, noting the importance of addressing rising healthcare costs in the negotiations. However, Trump's online announcement quickly dashed those hopes, as he claimed that unless the Democrats became "realistic," he saw no point in a meeting. He criticized their proposals, stating they are holding the country "hostage" over health care demands, according to The Hill and ABC News.

Trump's cancellation of the meeting has drawn swift condemnation from Democratic leaders, with Schumer stating that Trump would bear the responsibility for any resulting government shutdown. Schumer remarked, "This is a Trump shutdown and he knows he is going to be blamed for the shut down," reflecting the rising tensions and lack of cooperation between the two parties, according to Reuters and LA Times.

With Congress in recess until the end of the month, the government remains at risk of shutting down due to the failure to pass necessary funding measures. The House had previously approved a clean continuing resolution to extend funding, while Democrats are pushing to incorporate healthcare provisions, including extensions of the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies, a demand that Republicans have dismissed as excessive, stated CBS News, The Hill, and ABC News.