Shutdown hits day 21; Trump-Putin meeting now ‘on hold'

Republican senators had lunch with Trump at the White House today in an apparent show of solidarity as the government shutdown marks its 21st day. The Senate rejected the House-passed short-term spending bill for the 11th time yesterday.
Plans for a summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, are “on hold” because Trump believes both sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict are not ready to seriously talk peace.
Vice President JD Vance traveled to Israel today as the Trump administration works to secure the fragile ceasefire it helped broker between Israel and Hamas after fighting broke out over the weekend.
Construction crews have begun demolishing part of the historic East Wing facade of the White House to make room for Trump’s new $250 million ballroom.

This live blog on the Trump administration for Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, has ended. See more coverage here.

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