President Donald Trump’s latest appearance on 60 Minutes has set off a political firestorm, with the president tackling everything from the historic government shutdown to his controversial stance on healthcare and nuclear weapons testing. The interview, which aired on November 2, 2025, comes at a pivotal moment in Trump’s second term, as the nation grapples with deep partisan divides and global uncertainty.
Inside Trump’s Shutdown Strategy
Trump wasted no time blaming Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history. In his own words, “The Republicans are voting almost unanimously to end it — and the Democrats keep voting against ending it… They’ve lost their way”. He repeatedly urged Democrats to “let the country open,” promising to work across the aisle to fix what he called “terrible healthcare at far too high a price”.
The president’s solution? End the filibuster, force a vote, and move forward with his healthcare agenda. “I think we should do the nuclear option… it’s called ending the filibuster,” Trump declared, signaling a willingness to upend Senate tradition to break the deadlock.
Healthcare: Trump’s Unfinished Business
Healthcare reform remains a sore spot for Trump, who acknowledged the issue has dogged him since his first campaign. “We can make it much less expensive for people and give them much better healthcare — and I’d be willing to work with the Democrats on it,” he said, but accused his opponents of wanting to “give money to prisoners, to drug dealers, to all these millions of people that were allowed to come in with an open border from Biden”.
Pressed by CBS’s Norah O’Donnell, Trump insisted he’s been “talking about fixing the healthcare since 2015,” but blamed Democratic obstruction for stalled progress. The president stopped short of unveiling a new plan, instead promising to “work on fixing the bad healthcare that we have right now”.
Nuclear Weapons Testing: Breaking the Taboo
In one of the interview’s most explosive moments, Trump suggested the U.S. should reconsider its stance on nuclear weapons testing. “We have more nuclear weapons than any other country. I think we should do something about denuclearization… we’re the only country that doesn’t test — and I don’t want to be the only country that doesn’t test,” he said.
This statement has already sparked debate among experts and lawmakers, with critics warning of global instability and arms race risks. Trump, however, framed the issue as a matter of national security and technological leadership.
Tariffs, Supreme Court, and “Retribution”
Trump touted the economic impact of his tariff policies, claiming “the highest stock market we’ve ever had” and record 401(k) levels for millions of Americans. He called the Supreme Court’s upcoming tariffs case “the most important subject discussed by the Supreme Court in 100 years”.
Addressing accusations of seeking “retribution” against political opponents, Trump insisted, “It’s the opposite. I think I’ve been very mild mannered. You’re looking at a man who was indicted many times and I had to beat the rap otherwise I couldn’t have run for President”.
What This Means for 2025 and Beyond
Trump’s combative interview underscores the deep divisions in Washington and the president’s determination to push his agenda, even if it means breaking with tradition. With the shutdown dragging on and healthcare reform unresolved, the stakes for both parties—and the American people—couldn’t be higher.
As Trump put it, “We have been acknowledged as having the greatest nine months in the history of the presidency — so if I can keep that going, I’ll be very happy”. Whether his bold promises translate into real change remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Trump’s 60 Minutes interview has reignited the national debate on some of the country’s most pressing issues.
Sources
1. President Trump on 60 Minutes: “Greatest Nine Months in the ...
2. President Donald Trump: The 2025 60 Minutes Interview - CBS News
3. President Donald Trump: The 2025 60 Minutes Interview - YouTube
4. President Donald Trump's extended 60 Minutes interview - YouTube
5. President Trump; Guinness Book of Records - Full show on CBS
