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Trump’s 2013 Remarks on Presidential Leadership Resurface Amid Government Shutdown
As the 2025 government shutdown unfolds, a quote attributed to Donald Trump from 2013 has gone viral across social media platforms, drawing attention to his past statements about presidential responsibility during government shutdowns.
The widely shared quote claims that Trump, then a businessman and reality TV host, said: “A government shutdown falls on the president’s lack of leadership. I mean, problems start from the top and they have to get solved from the top. A shutdown means the president is weak.”
An investigation into the authenticity of this statement reveals a nuanced reality. While Trump did say the exact words in the middle sentence during a September 30, 2013, appearance on “Fox & Friends,” no record exists of him uttering the first and third sentences verbatim. However, the sentiments expressed in those unverified portions align closely with comments he made during that period about presidential responsibility.
During the 2013 “Fox & Friends” interview, when asked who would bear responsibility for a potential shutdown during Barack Obama’s presidency, Trump responded: “It always has to be the top. I mean, problems start from the top and they have to get solved from the top. And the president’s the leader and he’s got to get everybody in a room and he’s got to lead. And he doesn’t do that. He doesn’t like doing that. That’s not his strength.”
Trump’s views on presidential accountability during government shutdowns weren’t limited to that single interview. In an April 2011 appearance on NBC’s “Today” show, as another potential shutdown loomed, Trump told host Meredith Vieira: “If there is a shutdown, I think it would be a tremendously negative mark on the president of the United States. He’s the one that has to get people together.”
When Vieira questioned how Trump would handle the situation if he were president, he replied: “I would get everybody together and we’d have a budget.” After Vieira noted that Obama and congressional leaders had indeed met, Trump countered: “Well, that’s because they don’t have the right leader. You don’t have the right leader.”
Trump’s social media activity from 2013 further reinforced his position on presidential culpability. On Twitter (now X), he directly blamed Obama for the shutdown, posting: “FACT – the reason why Americans have to worry about a government shutdown is because Obama refuses to pass a budget.” He also agreed with a user who suggested such a crisis would never happen under a Trump presidency.
In a particularly telling post from November 8, 2013, Trump wrote: “Leadership: Whatever happens, you’re responsible. If it doesn’t happen, you’re responsible.”
The circulation of the partially accurate quote gained significant traction as the 2025 shutdown commenced during Trump’s own administration. Groups like Occupy Democrats shared the quote across multiple platforms with captions such as “This Trump quote aged beautifully… and for once, we agree with him!”
The situation presents a striking contrast in circumstances. In 2013, when Trump made his comments about presidential responsibility, Democrats controlled the White House and Senate while Republicans held the House. In the 2025 shutdown, Republicans control all three, yet Trump and White House officials have repeatedly placed blame on Democrats.
The resurfaced comments highlight the complicated nature of political rhetoric when roles reverse. Trump’s 2013 prediction that future generations would remember only which president was in office during a shutdown, not congressional leadership, now faces its own test as his administration navigates this crisis.
When contacted for clarification about the quote, a White House spokesperson acknowledged receipt of the inquiry but did not address specific questions about its authenticity.
While the viral quote combines Trump’s exact words with paraphrased sentiments, it accurately captures his consistently expressed viewpoint in 2013: that presidential leadership is ultimately responsible for preventing government shutdowns.
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10 Comments
Regardless of one’s political leanings, Trump’s comments on the president’s role during government shutdowns raise valid points about leadership and accountability. While the full quote may not be verbatim, the sentiment aligns with his public statements at the time. It’s an interesting perspective to consider, even if one ultimately disagrees with his position.
Well said. Examining political statements from various angles, even those we may not agree with, can lead to a more nuanced understanding of the issues at hand. This fact check does a good job of providing that context.
This is an interesting case study on the importance of digging deeper into political rhetoric, even when it aligns with a person’s known positions. While the sentiment of Trump’s comments on presidential leadership during shutdowns seems consistent, the fact check highlights the need to verify the exact wording of such claims. It’s a good reminder to approach political statements with nuance and objectivity.
Well said. Fact-checking is essential, but it’s also important to consider the broader context and implications of political statements, rather than just focusing on the specific language used. This analysis provides a balanced and insightful perspective on the issue.
This fact check highlights the importance of verifying the accuracy of political quotes, even when they align with a person’s known views. While the core message about presidential responsibility during shutdowns seems consistent with Trump’s past comments, the exact wording appears to be a mix of verified and unverified statements. It’s a good reminder to approach such claims with a critical eye.
Exactly. Fact-checking is crucial, especially when dealing with high-profile political figures and sensitive issues like government shutdowns. This analysis provides valuable insight into the nuances of Trump’s past statements on the topic.
This is a timely fact check given the current political climate. While the full quote may not be verbatim, Trump’s core message about presidential responsibility during government shutdowns aligns with comments he made at the time. It’s an interesting perspective to consider, even for those who may disagree with his views.
Absolutely, it’s important to look at political statements in context, rather than just focusing on the specific wording. This fact check provides helpful nuance on Trump’s past views, which is valuable for understanding the current shutdown debate.
Interesting to see Trump’s past comments on government shutdowns resurface. As a business leader, his perspective on presidential leadership during crises is thought-provoking, even if the full quote is not verified. It raises questions about how the executive branch should handle such impasses.
Agreed, these types of leadership statements from high-profile figures are worth examining, even if the exact wording is uncertain. It’s a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides.