Netizens were closely following Trump’s tweets on a probable shutdown, and after the Senate ultimately failed to arrive at a compromise over a House-approved bill, prompting a closure, internet users, including journalists and political pundits, took to Twitter to have their say.
Many instantly put the blame on Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, who has predictably been at odds with Trump recently over the border issue, and even adduced a suggestive, alliterated hashtag #SchumerShutdown, now rapidly gaining traction online:
One even called for prompt action:
Others, meanwhile, pointed to President Trump’s inability or, rather lack of willingness to act on the border issue, suggesting that the word order should be the following: #shutdownTrump.
Another brought up the discrepancy between Trump putting the blame on Democrats, while it is the GOP that exerts control over the predominant branches of power:
Hilarious remarks and piles of memes also flooded Twitter, with one netizen even making up what he thinks is an ideal drink menu for a bar dubbed “Capitol Lounge,” scheduled to open its doors to civil servants “every day of the week” during the shutdown:
Others came up with Photoshopped and collaged images offering congrats over the shutdown, thereby referring to the nearly ruined upcoming Christmas holiday.
One user uploaded a picture featuring eight holes corresponding to potential shutdowns, which he providentially drew back in February and which appear to have lost no relevance:
And he is not the only one to have been ready with memes on the subject long before the shutdown announcement:
The House is set to return from recess at noon on Saturday, meaning the closure may be temporary if a deal can still be reached. However, Trump has warned that if Democrats continue to oppose border wall funding, "there will be a shutdown that will last for a very long time”. A House bill on Thursday did stipulate earmarking funds for a wall along the Mexican border, but the Senate, which has the last word, deemed it as a no-go.