Democrats who expected President Donald Trump to cave vis-à-vis the ongoing government shutdown battle may want to hedge their bets given the latest reports.
According to White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the president has effectively cancelled his scheduled Christmas vacation trip to Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
“Due to the shutdown, President Trump will remain in Washington, D.C. and the first lady will return from Florida so they can spend Christmas together,” she reportedly said Saturday.
The president confirmed this in a tweet shortly thereafter.
Christmas in Mar-a-Lago is canceled, per @PressSec. “Due to the shutdown, President Trump will remain in Washington, D.C. and the First Lady will return from Florida so they can spend Christmas together.”
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) December 22, 2018
I will not be going to Florida because of the Shutdown – Staying in the White House! #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 22, 2018
This announcement makes it clear the president meant it when he announced Friday to the media that his administration was prepared for the worst.
“We are totally prepared for a very long shut down,” he said. “This is our only chance that we will ever have in our opinion. It’s up to the Democrats. It’s really the Democrat shut down.”
Last week House Republicans passed an omnibus bill that included funding for the wall the president seeks along the southern border. But because of Democrat obstruction in the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been unable to push the bill forward.
The government entered into a partial shutdown early Saturday morning as a result.
“It’s up to the Democrats. It’s really the Democrat shut down. We’ve done our thing,” the president noted Friday, the point being that the shutdown occurred because of Democrat obstruction.
Listen:
That Trump would cancel his trip to Mar-a-Lago — where he has spent years celebrating Christmas — speaks to his commitment to upholding his campaign promises.
Trump and his wife, Melania, celebrating Christmas at Mar-a-Lago last year:
It had initially appeared like the president would cave to the Democrats and sign an omnibus bill that contained no funding for his wall. After scathing criticism from his supporters, including conservative commentator Ann Coulter, the president changed his mind.
Below is a picture of Melania and her son, Barron, at Mar-a-Lago in 2008:
The irony is that a number of liberal commentators speculated last week that the president would quickly cave once the shutdown began, lest his Christmas vacation be ruined.
“Well, that’s easy to say on Friday, December 21st [that he’ll last]. But let’s say it’s Christmas Eve, December 24th, and Trump is stuck in the weather of Washington. You think he might want to end the government shutdown so he can go to Mar-a-Lago?” NBC’s Chuck Todd reportedly wondered.
Mar-a-Lago Christmas tree in 2000:
Todd was dead wrong.
The fact is that Christmas isn’t about vacationing at a resort or using taxpayer money to travel to Hawaii. It’s about the love of family and friends. And judging by the endless gratitude being directed the president’s way on social media, Trump’s Christmas will be awesome no matter what:
Good morning Donald,
Thank you for your personal sacrifices, your leadership, and sticking up for America over a chorus of objections from the Shmucky shmucks.Sometimes you have to play a Trump Card and go it alone-Glad it was you! Merry Christmas Donald?
— Dick Menot (@dickmenot) December 23, 2018
Thank you Mr. President for sticking to your guns to protect the American people. God bless you and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
— LittleBigMouth (@bamagirl4464) December 23, 2018
All of us patriots understand that this fight is not going to be an easy one. That is why we choose you. The only one person on this great soil that would have a fighting chance. We are with you and we will be with you in 2020. Thank you, God bless you and Merry Christmas
— Ken Miller (@KenMill69401543) December 23, 2018
@realDonaldTrump @POTUS Sir, this USMC Woman Veteran wants to thank you for your service to this Country! Many of us see what you’ve given up & face everyday! I pray for you (you’re family, team, Q/R) daily! Have a Merry ? Christmas! Happy New Year&Know you are loved! Semper Fi! pic.twitter.com/XsGlS9W4MH
— Jodi LoDolce (@JodiL792) December 23, 2018
Merry Christmas Mr. @POTUS @realDonaldTrump ! Thank you for fighting hard for all of the deplorable Americans out here! 2020, we won’t let you down! @FoxBusiness
— Macii2 (@macii23) December 23, 2018
Thank you, my fav @POTUS for all you do. Praying daily for you, our awesome @FLOTUS, and your beautiful family. ?? Merry Christmas!
— Ginger (@RaMetRedDuchess) December 23, 2018
Shut it down for as long as you need. 5B for the wall is nothing compared to the amount we save from illegal immigration.
Thank you for taking a stand for our country Mr. President. We want the wall!
— Mike Tokes (@MikeTokes) December 22, 2018
THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT!! STAND YOUR GROUND!! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU MELANIA AND YOUR FAMILY ❤
— Maryann Marie (@mare49) December 23, 2018
You should be with your family for a couple of days. Merry Christmas! You have given us a treasure of gifts over the last two years. Thank you for all you and your family are doing for #America #MAGA
— infini_dee_ (@AnBeOnd) December 23, 2018
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V. Saxena is a staff writer for BizPac Review with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University.
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