President Trump returned to the “60 Minutes” hot seat Sunday night, using the platform to launch into Democrats, defend his administration’s controversial policies, and raise the stakes on international nuclear strategy. In a charged interview with Norah O’Donnell, the president weighed in on everything from the second-longest US government shutdown in history to the increasingly polarized race for New York City mayor.
What’s the Latest on the Government Shutdown?
The ongoing shutdown, now clocking in at 33 days, is the nation’s second-longest, surpassed only by the 35-day shutdown of 2018-2019. The impasse centers on a budget disagreement between the Republican-controlled Congress and Senate Democrats.
Trump placed the blame squarely on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, calling the New York Democrat a “basket case” who’s “lost their way.”
- Democratic Stance: Schumer and Senate Democrats have repeatedly voted against Republican-backed funding bills, reportedly holding out for a resolution that includes funding for key programs and curbs on Trump-mandated budget cuts. They have blocked a GOP bill to fund federal agencies for a short term (through November 21) over a dozen times since October 1.
- The SNAP Crisis: The most immediate crisis is the fate of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps. The Department of Agriculture has warned that funding for the program, which helps millions of Americans buy food, is set to expire. Schumer recently proposed a food stamps-only bill to compensate, but the government remains closed.
- Economic Impact: The Congressional Budget Office estimated the last major shutdown (35 days) delivered a $3 billion long-term hit to the economy. The current stalemate leaves nonessential federal employees furloughed or working without pay.
Trump’s confidence in Schumer’s political demise is at odds with the senator’s track record. While one September 2025 Pew Research Center survey found that only 21% of Americans and 35% of Democrats held a favorable view of Schumer, he was re-elected in 2022 with 56% of the vote, and his Senate re-election margins have historically ranged from 14 to 47 percentage points. (Consider linking to our article on “Inside the Numbers: What the Polls Really Say About Schumer.”)
Why Is the President Focusing on the NYC Mayor’s Race?
President Trump also continued his jabs at Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic socialist frontrunner in the New York City mayoral race. Mamdani, a 34-year-old New York State Assemblyman, won the Democratic primary and, if elected, would be the city’s first Muslim mayor.
Mamdani’s progressive platform is a focal point of the Republican critique against the left.
- Key Platform Points: Mamdani’s agenda, largely focused on affordability, includes a push for free city buses, a rent freeze for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments, and the creation of city-owned, non-profit grocery stores.
- Funding the Agenda: To finance these proposals, Mamdani’s revenue plan suggests raising the corporate tax rate to match New Jersey’s 11.5%, an increase he claims could bring in $5 billion in new revenue.
- The Political Divide: His success has caused anxiety among some establishment Democrats, who fear his socialist label could hurt the party in suburban and swing areas.
Is the US Restarting Nuclear Testing?
One of the most dramatic moments of the interview came when President Trump “doubled down” on his intent to restart US nuclear weapons testing, claiming the US is the “only country that doesn’t test.”
- The President’s Rationale: Trump claimed that both Russia and China are “actively testing their nuclear weapons,” citing Russia’s recent announcement of a successfully tested nuclear-powered torpedo. He boasted that the US arsenal could “blow up the world 150 times.”
- The US Position: The United States has observed a self-imposed moratorium on full, explosive nuclear tests since 1992. Along with Russia and China, the US is a signatory to the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which bans all nuclear explosions, though the US has never ratified it.
- Global Nuclear Arsenals: While the US last conducted a full test over three decades ago, it has continued to rely on advanced computer simulations and subcritical tests. As for the nuclear stockpiles, the US is not, in fact, the leader, despite the President’s claims. According to recent estimates:
- Russia currently holds the largest confirmed arsenal, with over 5,500 nuclear warheads.
- The US follows closely with over 5,000 nuclear weapons.
- China is significantly behind in raw numbers, estimated to have several hundred warheads, though its inventory is growing
Trump’s directive for the Pentagon to begin testing “on an equal basis” with Russia and China is likely to trigger a global diplomatic backlash and risk a new arms race, potentially ending the decades-old nuclear testing moratorium. (A good place for an infographic illustrating the timeline of US, Russian, and Chinese nuclear testing since 1990.)
TL;DR
President Trump’s “60 Minutes” appearance was a firestorm of aggressive defenses and political attacks. He blamed the 33-day government shutdown on “basket case” Senate Democrats, called out NYC mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani and his democratic socialist platform (including free buses and a corporate tax hike), and confirmed his intention to restart US nuclear weapons testing after a 30-year moratorium, citing alleged testing by Russia and China.
