Trump pushes GOP to shut down government just weeks before 2024 election

Speaking on Monica Crowley's podcast on Friday, former President Donald Trump went on a long rant about election integrity in the United States, which he once again claimed was rife with fraud.

During his tirade, Trump demanded that House Republicans pass the so-called "SAVE Act" that's aimed at curtailing illegal voting -- and he said the GOP should "shut down the government" if the Senate wouldn't go along.

"I would shut down the government in a heartbeat if they don't get it and they don't get it in the bill," Trump claimed about voting restrictions being put in the budget bill.

"So you are calling today on the senator — are you calling on Sen. [Mitch] McConnell then and all Senate Republicans and House Republicans too make sure this SAVE Act is in the spending bill?" Crowley asked.

ALSO READ: 'Particularly risky' Trump strategy casts cloud over his electability: New York Times

"Well, it should be in the bill," Trump said. "For some reason they don't do it. They don't do things that could really help our nation. It should be in the bill and if its not in the bill you should close it up."

This commentary was confirmed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) who said that she'd spoken to Trump "several times about threatening a government shutdown if key policies aren't attached to a spending deal," Washington Examiner reporter Cami Mondeaux posted on X.

"He definitely supports putting the CR and SAVE act together ... even if [that means] a government shutdown," Greene told her.