Trump is winning this war right now and it is as plain as day. He is playing Congress just like he is playing China -- he knows he holds all the high cards. China is actually coming to grips with this reality. I don't think the Democrats have realized it yet. Not sure they ever will.
He has the money for the wall from other sources. He's probably known this since the Fall or early Winter. His legal & financial team has been working on this I'm sure for months.
- He has used the shutdown to control the narrative for almost two months and counting.
- He has used the shutdown to thoroughly define the Democrats as pro-open borders, pro-crime, pro-human trafficking, pro-drugs, etc.
- He has used the shutdown to define the Democrats as intransigent and not him. Have you noticed the shift in public perception? Trump is seen as resolute and dedicated, but open to compromise and wants unity. The Democrats are seen as intransigent.
- All he needed was some money for the wall out of this deal, and he can then take a victory lap and be seen as the great compromiser.
If he got NO money for the wall, it would not look nearly as good. Getting some money for a wall from Congress cedes the argument for a wall to Trump. The rest of the money will be merely a matter of degree along a financial continuum about a solution for the wall that all sides have finally agreed upon.
Winning.
Trump is the master at this game. It's a privilege to be alive to witness it in real time.