Core Points - The U.S. government shutdown has reached its 36th day, marking the longest shutdown in U.S. history, surpassing the previous record of 35 days from late 2018 to early 2019 [1] - Over 700,000 federal employees are working without pay, and 42 million low-income individuals face potential disruptions in food assistance, while 3.2 million travelers are stranded due to flight delays [3] - Trump's administration has prioritized funding for key departments like the military and FBI, allowing them to continue operations despite the shutdown, which helps maintain social order [3] - The shutdown primarily affects low-income groups, minorities, and small business owners, while Trump's core support base, mainly middle-class whites, is less impacted [5] - The Republican Party is strategically blaming the Democrats for the chaos, which has inadvertently strengthened Trump's support among conservative voters [7] - Trump's approach to the shutdown is seen as a "low-cost, high-reward" strategy, as he maintains a populist image while solidifying his lead in Republican primary polls [7] - A breakfast meeting with key Republican figures is intended to unify the party and pressure moderate members to align with Trump's agenda [11] - The shutdown is not merely a funding issue but reflects deeper political system problems, with ordinary citizens bearing the brunt of the consequences [14]