President Donald Trump had a surreal, explosive clash with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) at the White House over border wall funding for their first meeting together since Democrats took control of the House of Representatives in the midterm elections.

As Trump talked about the need for border security, the conversation grew increasingly tense as Pelosi and Schumer pushed back against his demand for $5 billion to fund the border wall.

“We have the easy one, the wall,” Trump said. “That will be the one that will be the easiest of all. What do you think, Chuck?

“It’s called funding the government, Mr. President,” Schumer responded dryly.

Trump laughed that off as he continued to promise the wall’s construction, saying “tremendous amounts” of it have already been built. After Trump slammed the migrant caravan on the move in Central America, the conversation delved into a three way sparring match on whether the wall is good policy, and whether the president has the congressional support he needs for its approval.

Sparks flew as the three continued to clash, but Trump brought everything to a halt when he said that he will accept responsibility if gridlock leads to another government shutdown.

“If there’s not border security, I won’t take it!” Trump exclaimed. “I am proud to shut down the government for border security.”

“I will take the mantle,” he added. “I will be the one to shut it down. And I’m gonna shut it down for border security.”

Pelosi, at one point, added, “”Unfortunately, this has spiraled downward.”

The House speaker also pledged to Trump, “You will not win.”

Watch above, and the second part of the clash — which includes insults lobbed at Trump by Schumer


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