President-elect Donald Trump says US Congress should eliminate the debt ceiling

President-elect Donald Trump unexpectedly rejected a bipartisan plan on Wednesday aimed at averting a government shutdown, instructing House Speaker Mike Johnson and fellow Republicans to renegotiate the deal just days before federal funding is set to expire.

Trump's last-minute demands have thrown Congress into disarray, complicating efforts to finalize legislation and adjourn for the holidays. Johnson now faces a tight Friday deadline to secure a solution that keeps the government operating.

Key Developments:

Conservative Activists Jeer Speaker Mike Johnson at AmericaFest

At Charlie Kirk’s AmericaFest in Arizona, conservative activists and media personalities expressed frustration with Speaker Johnson’s handling of the negotiations, while also celebrating the influence of figures like Elon Musk.

During a live taping of his podcast Human Events, Jack Posobiec asked the audience whether Johnson should remain Speaker. The question was met with loud boos and a resounding “Nooo!” from attendees. Posobiec then posed a tongue-in-cheek question about Elon Musk taking over as Speaker of the House, which garnered a mix of cheers and laughter.

Divided House Republicans Meet with Johnson

Johnson has spent the day holding meetings with various factions of the Republican caucus as he attempts to broker an agreement.

“We’re having honest conversations, and we’ll see where it gets us,” said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a member of the Appropriations Committee, indicating the internal challenges Johnson faces in aligning the party around a plan.

With time running out, Johnson is under pressure to unite his caucus and navigate Trump’s unexpected intervention while averting a potentially disruptive government shutdown.