Democrats hate being confronted with hard questions. They’re too used to being thrown softballs by the liberal media.
And a Leftist threw a complete tantrum during an interview over this testy topic.
In a fiery CNBC showdown, Arizona Democrat Senator Rubén Gallego lost his cool when host Joe Kernen hammered him on past government shutdowns and the double standards at play. Kernen didn’t hold back, exposing how Democrats flip-flop when it comes to holding the line on spending and demands. This clash highlights the frustration many Americans feel with Washington insiders who play games with U.S. tax dollars.
The tension kicked off when Kernen posed a straightforward hypothetical about Republicans using shutdown tactics when Democrats hold power. He started strong: “If Republicans shut down the government the next time Democrats are in charge to extract whatever it is that they happen to want —”
Gallego jumped in right away, cutting him off with: “Like they did last time?”
Kernen pressed hard, demanding clarity: “Are you saying that’s okay? Are you saying that’s okay if they do that next time?”
Without missing a beat, Gallego doubled down: “Republicans have done this quite a while, yes.”
That’s when Kernen turned the tables, asking point-blank: “What did you say about it when they did it?”
Gallego’s response was stunning in its dismissiveness: “I don’t know and I don’t care.”
From that moment, the interview spiraled into pure chaos, with neither side backing down. Kernen kept pushing on the real issues, while Gallego dodged and deflected like a typical politician avoiding accountability.
The real fireworks came when they dove into the Democrats’ current push to reopen the government. Gallego tried to paint it as no big deal, but Kernen called him out on the contradictions. Gallego insisted Democrats weren’t making demands, yet he immediately laid out exactly what they expected in return for their votes.
He put it this way: “We’re demanding a very simple thing. … We want to make sure that Americans, 24 million Americans, do not see their insurance premiums doubled.”
Kernen wasn’t buying the spin and fired back with the numbers: “Well, by not extending [subsidies], it would go up. But what’s the $1.5 trillion, Senator? You could extend those for one year, you could extend the Obamacare subsidies for $40 billion. For 10 years, you can do it for $345 billion. You’re asking for $1.5 trillion.”
Gallego got snippy, snapping: “I’m sorry, are you an insurance broker?” He then claimed the massive sum was all about stopping premium hikes, but it rang hollow.
Kernen stayed relentless, repeating: “What’s in the $1.5 trillion? You could do it for 10 years, Senator, for $345 billion. What’s the $1.5 trillion that Democrats are demanding to open the government?”
Gallego tried to brush it off as nonsense: “We’re not demanding anything. This is just a Republican talking point.” He pivoted to his home state, adding: “All I want is for the ACA to be extended for Americans, for 24 million people to not get their premiums doubled. In Arizona, we are talking about 500,000 people.”
This exchange exposes the raw nerve of Democrat hypocrisy—blasting Republicans for shutdowns in the past while pulling the same stunts now, all to ram through trillions in spending that burdens hardworking taxpayers. Kernen did what the mainstream media often won’t: hold these elites’ feet to the fire. Gallego’s agitation shows how uncomfortable truth can be for those pushing big-government agendas.
For everyday Americans, this isn’t just political theater; it’s about who controls the purse strings. Republicans have long fought to curb wasteful spending, and scenes like this prove why they need more voices like Kernen’s calling out the bluff. Gallego’s flippant attitude toward past shutdowns screams entitlement, as if rules only apply when it suits the left.
You can watch a clip of the interview by using the video player below:
"I don't know and I don't care," says petulant baby @RubenGallego when asked about his past shutdown comments.
Here's a reminder —
2013: You can't "shutdown the government… and still claim to be a Patriot"
2019: "Putting the country in danger"
2023: "Put country before… pic.twitter.com/JbA7aU1M2B
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 27, 2025
