Republican National Committee co-chair KC Crosbie joined Chicago’s Morning Answer with guest host Chris Krok to discuss the end of the federal government shutdown, healthcare reform, and growing concerns about the economy under the Trump administration. Crosbie, who succeeded Lara Trump as RNC co-chair earlier this year, said the GOP remains united behind President Trump’s “America First” priorities and accused Democrats of using the shutdown as political theater at the expense of ordinary Americans.
Crosbie said the Democrats’ refusal to negotiate during the budget impasse had real consequences for vulnerable citizens. “They held our veterans, women, and children hostage to a political game—and gained absolutely nothing,” she said. She praised House Speaker Mike Johnson for calling the move “cruel” and argued that Democrats’ obstruction left struggling Americans resorting to food pantries and, in some cases, “dumpster diving” during the shutdown.
Turning to healthcare, Crosbie reiterated that President Trump would not compromise on Obamacare, calling it a “broken system created by Democrats.” She said the administration’s goal is to return control to individuals through Health Savings Accounts and deregulation. “Obamacare made insurance companies rich while families were forced to pay higher premiums and deductibles,” she said. “The American people deserve to make their own decisions about healthcare, not be held hostage to a failed system.”
On economic issues, Crosbie pushed back on polling that shows the public still associates high prices and inflation with Trump-era policies. She argued that the Biden administration’s four years of “disastrous” economic leadership left a deep mark that will take time to reverse. “Gas prices are finally dropping, inflation is stabilizing, and deregulation is starting to work,” Crosbie said. “We inherited a mess, but Trump’s policies are already putting America back on track.”
Crosbie cited rising investment, tariff revenue, and efforts to roll back Biden-era efficiency standards as evidence of progress. She acknowledged that housing and auto loan costs remain high but described them as “temporary side effects” of correcting the market. “The Democrats’ shutdown alone caused $1.5 trillion in economic damage,” she said. “You can’t fix four years of pain in a few months.”
Asked about reports that the administration is considering 50-year mortgages to expand homeownership, Crosbie described the proposal as one of many tools under discussion. “It’s not ideal, but it’s an option,” she said. “President Trump is exploring every solution to help Americans achieve the dream of owning a home.”
Crosbie also addressed the recent push in Congress to release the remaining Epstein case files, saying Democrats were using selective disclosures to distract from their handling of the shutdown. “They claim they want transparency but blocked a unanimous consent vote to release everything,” she said. “It’s a stunt to divert attention from their failures.”
The longtime GOP official, who has served on the RNC since 2012, closed by emphasizing her confidence in Trump’s agenda and the party’s electoral prospects. “This administration is rebuilding America from the ground up,” she said. “It’s about restoring faith in government, putting Americans first, and undoing the damage the left has caused at home and abroad.”