Former President Trump is ramping up his efforts to persuade Republican senators to eliminate the Senate filibuster as the government shutdown continues, reaching a record length. He ties his push for filibuster changes to broader initiatives, including voter reform, after facing significant pushback from some party members. Notably, Trump has hosted meetings with GOP senators to discuss strategies, yet many Republican leaders remain resistant to his demands. As the shutdown drags on, the dynamics within the party are shifting, with increasing support among some factions to consider abolishing the filibuster, although prominent figures, like Senate Minority Whip John Thune, remain firmly against it. Trump continues to assert that the shutdown will only end when Democrats concede to his demands, contradicting calls from party leaders to maintain the filibuster as a critical defense against progressive legislation.