As the federal government officially shuts down today, President Donald Trump is attending the Ryder Cup golf tournament at Bethpage Black in New York—prompting fierce backlash from critics who accuse him of abandoning his leadership duties during a national crisis. This shutdown was not caused by Democrats. It was orchestrated by Donald Trump and the Republican Party. They refused to negotiate, rejected bipartisan solutions, and weaponized the budget process to gut Medicaid and Medicare. Now, millions of Americans face furloughs, frozen services, and the looming loss of healthcare—all because the GOP chose sabotage over governance.

While lawmakers scramble to contain the fallout, Trump’s presence on the golf course has become a symbol of elite detachment and political contempt. “This isn’t just bad optics—it’s contempt,” said one Democratic strategist. “Trump created this crisis, refused compromise, and now escapes accountability with a tee time.”

Republicans have attempted to shift blame onto Democrats, with figures like Senator JD Vance claiming obstruction from the left. But the facts are clear: the GOP controls the White House, both chambers of Congress, and the Supreme Court. “They chose this. They own this,” said a spokesperson for the Progressive Caucus. “Trump golfing today isn’t a distraction—it’s a symbol of power without responsibility.”

The shutdown’s impact is already being felt nationwide: federal agencies are halting operations, veterans are facing delayed benefits, and food assistance programs are being frozen. Healthcare advocates warn that the longer the impasse continues, the more vulnerable populations will suffer. “This isn’t gridlock—it’s a hit job on the American safety net,” said a healthcare policy analyst. “And the president’s absence speaks volumes.”

Democratic leaders are urging voters to reject Republican spin and hold the party accountable for the shutdown’s consequences. They argue that Trump’s golf outing underscores a broader pattern of cruelty and sabotage. “Let’s stop pretending this is about fiscal discipline,” one organizer said. “It’s about a Republican Party that would rather swing clubs than save lives.”

As the Ryder Cup continues, Democrats are mobilizing to reframe the crisis—not as a budget dispute, but as a deliberate assault on working families. With Trump on the green and healthcare on the chopping block, the stakes have never been clearer. For families facing canceled appointments, for seniors worried about their prescriptions, and for federal workers wondering how to pay rent this month—this shutdown isn’t abstract. It’s personal. It’s painful. And the image of a president golfing while their people suffer will not be forgotten.

This is not a bipartisan failure. It is a Republican betrayal. And the American people deserve better.

Trump’s decision to golf during a shutdown isn’t an isolated incident—it’s part of a long-standing pattern. During his first term, Trump spent over 400 days at golf courses or Trump-branded properties—nearly a quarter of his presidency. Even now, in his current term, he’s logged 7 out of his first 29 days golfing—a pace that suggests he’s treating the presidency like a part-time gig. And while Americans suffer, Trump profits. His visits to Trump-owned resorts have funneled millions in taxpayer dollars into his own businesses, raising serious ethical concerns.

Despite his own record, Trump has repeatedly attacked President Biden for taking time off. He mocked Biden for “vacationing while America suffers,” accused him of “hiding in Delaware,” and claimed Democrats “don’t want to work.” Yet Biden continued working remotely—receiving briefings, signing declarations, and holding press conferences during those trips. Trump, by contrast, is golfing during a shutdown he created. No briefings. No negotiations. No leadership.

Trump would rather play than lead. He would rather protect his tee time than protect your healthcare. And the Republican Party would rather defend his absence than defend the American people. This shutdown is not a mistake. It’s a strategy. And it’s time to call it what it is: a deliberate, cruel, and calculated failure of leadership.

But even in the face of abandonment, Americans are rising. Families are speaking out. Workers are organizing. Communities are refusing to be ignored. This shutdown may have been designed to break us—but it’s revealing our strength. The cruelty is loud, but so is our resolve. We will not be silenced. We will not be spun. And we will not forget who showed up—and who chose to play through the pain.

This moment belongs to the people. And we will reclaim it—with truth, with courage, and with action. Because when leadership fails, solidarity rises. And when power retreats to the golf course, the people step forward to lead.

Sources:
The National Desk – Fact Check: Biden vs. Trump vacation time
Economic Times – Trump golfed 7 out of 29 days in office
Golf News Net – Trump’s golf record