Trump Jokes About Dual Role as President and House Speaker Amid Government Shutdown

President Donald Trump has privately joked that he serves as both the President and the Speaker of the House, reflecting his strong influence over House Speaker Mike Johnson amid the ongoing government shutdown. Speaker Johnson has kept the House in recess since October 1, refusing to reconvene until the Senate passes a funding bill, aligning closely with Trump's agenda and Republican demands. This shutdown, triggered by disputes over health care subsidies, has left many Americans divided on its personal impact, with nearly half reporting no direct effect. Trump has taken steps to ensure military personnel continue to receive pay during the shutdown using available funds from the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Critics argue Johnson's deference to Trump weakens the traditional separation of powers and diminishes the independence of the House Speaker's role. The situation underscores the deep alignment between Trump and Johnson, with Johnson acting more as a supporter of Trump's priorities than as an autonomous legislative leader.