Happy Thursday. Today marks Yom Kippur, and the Senate isn’t holding any sessions.
The president is meeting with the Budget Chief on the second day of the government shutdown. (Details below.)
Here’s what we’re covering today:
- Meme wars overshadowing the shutdown
- Johnson’s remarks to Jeffries
- Mass layoffs anticipated
- GOP divided by moderate Democrats
- Kimmel and Colbert unite
- Taylor Swift’s album set to launch at midnight
🐱 Meme War
Is this how to succeed in political messaging in 2025?
Political leaders are harnessing unexpected tactics in the current government shutdown—using memes.
President Trump has been known for his casual social media style, and now other politicians seem to be taking cues from him.
California Governor Gavin Newsom was an early adopter, initiating a colorful meme rivalry with the President this summer; one particularly catchy example featured toddler-sized playing cards dressed up. Such memes, often silly and intentionally over-the-top, serve a purpose.
This meme competition has intensified during the government closure. The White House, for instance, shared an AI-generated video recently that sparked outrage among Democrats. They’ve been stepping up their social media game lately, leaving even critics surprised.
Democratic leaders have responded sharply to the AI video from Trump, voicing their concerns in social media and public comments.
Vice President Vance, when asked about a specific meme on Wednesday, took the chance to call out other Democrats.
“It’s amusing. The president’s just joking, and we’re having some fun,” Vance noted, while Hakeem Jeffries from New York echoed the sentiment of reopening government with, “Let’s stop the Sombrero memes.”
Jeffries continued the riff on social media with a post featuring a dramatic visual of Vance depicted in a humorous baby face.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) waded into the meme fray during a press conference as well.
“Men, don’t pay attention to that,” he remarked about the memes. “Gavin Newsom was mocking me last night—drew me as a minion—yellow with oversized glasses.”
Take a peek at some meme skirmishes:
- The White House tweeted a playful edit of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a hotdog costume (1.2 million views).
- Newsom shared a video of an exaggerated baby dance along with an AI version of Lady Gaga Vance (1 million views).
- Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) put out a montage featuring a Democrat senator in an amusing edit (1.9 million views).
- Democrats unleashed a video lampooning “Republican kittens” (6 million views), while the GOP countered with their version of kittens in sombreros (1.7 million views).
- Newsom released a humorous interview edit where Vance appears in a minion-like outfit (2.8 million views).
This light-hearted conflict serves to distract from the serious nature of the shutdown and is part of a broader strategy for each party to shape the narrative as a means to deflect blame when things go awry.
⛔ Government Shutdown
Who will blink first?
As the government shutdown enters its second day, lawmakers postponed a funding vote due to Yom Kippur. Negotiations are set to resume on Friday.
House Republicans held another press conference today. “The ball is in Chuck Schumer’s court now,” claimed Steve Scalise (R-La.) regarding Senate Democratic leaders.
Speaker Johnson reiterated that the onus is on the Democrats. “Don’t ask Republicans for solutions. There’s nothing to negotiate,” he emphasized. 💻 Check out today’s GOP press conference.
What’s happening behind the scenes?: Reports indicate that some Republican lawmakers are working with moderate Senate Democrats they feel could sway their votes. It’s crucial for Republicans to win over at least five additional Democrats to move forward.
Shutdown duration outlook: Senators believe the government shutdown could persist at least into next week, with some expressing concerns it could last even longer.
Voting schedule: The Senate is planning another vote on both the House GOP funding proposal and the Democratic bill this Friday, anticipating further votes afterward to possibly extend the shutdown.
💬 Check out our live blog.
➤The White House braces for significant layoffs:
OMB Director Russell Vought informed House Republicans that a significant reduction in the federal workforce is imminent within the next couple of days.
Today’s discussions: Trump plans to detail which agencies will see cuts.
➤Quick news item:
House Democrats confronted Speaker Mike Johnson publicly in front of cameras, expressing concern about his disconnect regarding comments made by Trump.
What unfolded? Manager Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) approached Johnson, urging him to address Trump’s remarks regarding the military situation.
Dean: “The president seems apathetic. He’s out of touch.”
Johnson: “Many people feel unwell, and I have no control over him.”
Dean: “It’s detrimental… our allies are losing faith, and our adversaries are amused.” 📹 Check the clip.
➤Related Articles:
- Democrats’ strategy against shutdown pitfalls.
- Potential Obamacare price hikes due to shutdown.
- Trump targets states for shutdown strategy.
Things are in motion.
The House has adjourned. The Senate is technically in session, but no votes are scheduled today. President Trump remains in Washington.
Awaiting the midnight release: Taylor Swift is dropping her much-anticipated album “The Life of a Showgirl” tonight.
Tomorrow at 8 a.m.: Join Chris Starwald and Bill Summon for a live virtual meeting that will delve into how stories are crafted and provide an opportunity for viewer questions.
🐝 Internet Topics
🍬Celebration: It’s National Smarties Day.
🎙Show Swap: Late night hosts Kimmel and Colbert made guest appearances on each other’s shows. I found it delightful, especially their discussions about the announcement of permanent or temporary changes. 📹 Watch Kimmel’s recap.
🏈 Who’s joining the Super Bowl?: Immigration Customs Enforcement will be present at the 2026 Super Bowl, with Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny slated to perform during halftime, according to Corey Lewandowski.
🤖AI Actors: An AI-generated actor named “Tilly Norwood” has drawn attention for creating “digital content” for film and TV, leading to backlash in Hollywood. CNN has the details.
👋 And finally…
This little video made me smile—check out how thrilled this dog is! Watch here.
