A government shutdown looms as Donald Trump tells Republicans to block a funding bill. Also, with a razor-thin majority, GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson still needs Democrats. And JD Vance dodges questions about Speaker Johnson. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Norm Ornstein, and EJ Dionne join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Donald Trump fails to secure his debt ceiling demand. Also, Democrats bail out House Republicans ahead of the government shutdown. And Elon Musk is criticized for endorsing Germany's far-right political party. Timothy Snyder, Rep. Sara Jacobs,  Amb. Michael McFaul, and Rep. Gwen Moore join Ali Velshi.