Trump predicts Schumer will retire rather than lose primary election

President Donald Trump said he expects Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to retire because he doesn’t believe the senator can win a primary.

Trump’s comments come as he battles with Schumer and other Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., over a partial government shutdown that continues into its ninth day Thursday.

As a result, Trump said Schumer and Jeffries are “holding the entire federal government hostage.” However, Trump noted that other Democrats, like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said just before the shutdown that Republicans could come to his office and negotiate at any time.

“She’s taking Hakeem Jeffries’ place, and Schumer is afraid to run against him. And right now, I don’t know, it can change, life is crazy, right?” ” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting Thursday. “But right now, I don’t think he can beat anyone. So he’ll lose in a primary. I would say he’ll retire before he loses in a primary. I think Schumer will retire, because he can’t beat anyone, his polls are so bad.”

Trump’s comments also come just after Axios reported in September that Ocasio-Cortez was laying the groundwork for a Senate or presidential bid in 2028.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.