Story perspectives

Trump Calls Budget Director "Darth Vader" Amid Shutdown

10/24/2025

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump referred to budget director Russell Vought as "Darth Vader" during a Rose Garden luncheon on October 21, 2025.
He praised budget cuts against Democratic priorities, prompting delayed applause from attendees.
Trump told Democrats they would "never get them back," underscoring the administration's stance amid the four-week government shutdown.
The luncheon highlighted the ongoing shutdown, now four weeks old, affecting thousands of federal workers.

History

Historical Context

The 2013 U.S. government shutdown, lasting from October 1 to October 17, stemmed from a standoff between President Barack Obama and Congressional Republicans over the Affordable Care Act. Approximately 800,000 federal employees were furloughed, disrupting essential services and costing the economy an estimated $24 billion. This event highlighted ongoing political divisions and set a precedent for future budgetary conflicts in U.S. governance.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump referred to budget director Russell Vought as "Darth Vader" during a Rose Garden luncheon on October 21, 2025.
He praised budget cuts against Democratic priorities, prompting delayed applause from attendees.
Trump told Democrats they would "never get them back," underscoring the administration's stance amid the four-week government shutdown.
The luncheon highlighted the ongoing shutdown, now four weeks old, affecting thousands of federal workers.

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