Trump Finds a New Way to Use the White House for Tacky Racist Trolling  —  DOOM LOOP  —  AI-generated meme of Hakeem Jeffries ran on loop in the press room.  —  Racist AI-generated videos set to mariachi music were played on repeat for hours in the White House in a doom-loop attempt to troll Democrats.

How John Thune sees the shutdown ending … “I keep telling them: When they have eight or 10 — preferably 10, or more — when they have a critical mass, let me know if there's a conversation they want to have,” Thune said.  —  He insisted he would not negotiate on the substance of an extension while the government is closed.

We asked 1,000 Americans who they blame for the shutdown  —  Here's what they said.  —  Just now  —  How concerned are Americans about the partial shutdown of the federal government and whom do they blame for causing it?  The Washington Post texted a nationally representative sample of 1,010 people on Wednesday to ask.

Trump targets states that voted for Harris in shutdown fight … New York-area lawmakers reacted with fury to the infrastructure cuts earlier Wednesday.  —  “Political revenge.  Clearly outlined by Trump, time and again.  He sees the U.S. as Blue and Red, and Blue states are enemies,” …