“There are consequences to losing Elections but, based on their letter to me, the Democrats haven’t figured that out yet,” Trump said in a post to Truth Social.

The Washington Examiner confirmed on Monday that a meeting between Trump and the leaders would take place on Thursday. Less than a day later, the president changed his mind, telling Jeffries and Schumer that the “ball is in your court” and they “must do their job.”

“I look forward to meeting with you when you become realistic about the things that our Country stands for,” Trump said.

The president is the latest Republican placing blame for a possible government shutdown on the Democrats despite the GOP holding the White House and both chambers of Congress. Historically, any shutdown reflects badly on the party in power, but Republicans have been quick to argue that they are advocating a short-term spending deal that maintains Biden administration spending levels and that Democrats want unnecessary additions such as an extension of Obamacare subsidies.

Jeffries said in a post to X that Trump “Always Chickens Out.”

“Donald Trump just cancelled a high stakes meeting in the Oval Office with myself and Leader Schumer,” Jeffries said. “The extremists want to shut down the government because they are unwilling to address the Republican healthcare crisis that is devastating America.”

Schumer said in a statement, “Trump is running away from the negotiating table before he even gets there. While Americans face rising costs and a Republican healthcare crisis, Trump would rather throw a tantrum than do his job. Democrats are ready to work to avoid a shutdown — Trump and Republicans are holding America hostage. Donald Trump will own the shutdown.”

The deadline is fast approaching on Sept. 30, when the federal government will shut down. House lawmakers passed a short-term spending deal on Friday and sent it over to the Senate, but that proposal and an alternative from Democrats both failed on the floor.

House members are expected to be in a two-week recess until after Oct. 1, while the Senate is likely to return on Sept. 29 for last-minute negotiations on the continuing resolution to fund the government. The bill extends funding until Nov. 21 to allow lawmakers to continue working on passing all 12 appropriations bills for the fiscal year.

DEMOCRATS RISK SHUTDOWN BLAME GAME WITH GOVERNMENT FUNDING HARDBALL

Democrats offered a proposal that would include money for member security in addition to the funds proposed in the GOP’s continuing resolution, as well as include provisions to extend the Obamacare tax credits that expire at the end of the year. Schumer and Jeffries have been in lockstep when it comes to a blockade, arguing they won’t vote for it unless there are healthcare concessions.

This puts the Senate at a standstill, as 60 votes are required to break the filibuster, and Republicans do not reach that number with just their own members.