Republican Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana appeared stunned during a live television interview after learning that his state would lose a major clean-energy investment. The Department of Energy, under the Trump administration, had announced that over $1 billion in clean-energy funding for the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub — a project that includes Montana — would be cut.
During an interview, Sheehy was asked about the impact of these funding cuts. Instead of addressing the question directly, he linked the decision to the ongoing government shutdown, blaming Democrats for the stalemate.
“As I said, we want the government to be open,” Sheehy said during the exchange. “You should be saying this to Chuck Schumer, who’s closing the government down. I’m agreeing we should have the government open right now. This is an unnecessary shutdown.”
When Collins pressed further, asking if the cuts from President Donald Trump’s administration would hurt Montana, Sheehy listed several services affected by the shutdown, including air traffic controllers and cattle shipping, but again avoided commenting on the energy project itself.
The moment took an awkward turn when Collins pointed out that Energy Secretary Chris Wright had told her earlier that the canceled hydrogen funding had nothing to do with the government shutdown. For several seconds, Sheehy remained silent before responding, “Well, it’s unfortunate we’re still shut down. We shouldn’t be.”
On-Air Moment Sparks Social Media Reactions
The senator’s reaction quickly spread across social media, where viewers commented on how visibly caught off guard he appeared. Many users described the exchange as a rare example of a politician being left speechless without any direct challenge or confrontation from the interviewer.
One viewer wrote that they had “never seen someone made to look so patently foolish without the interviewer ever suggesting it.” Another added, “Speechless at the end. Well done.”
This was not the first time Sheehy has drawn public attention for his remarks. Earlier this year, during another interview, he compared the global trade war instigated by President Donald Trump to a home renovation. “If you’re going to remodel your house to make it better in the end,” he said at the time, “it’s going to be really annoying in the short term when your house is getting remodeled and there’s drywall dust everywhere.”
The new interview added to the scrutiny around Sheehy’s communication style. Political observers noted that the senator’s inability to directly address a question about his own state’s funding loss stood out — especially because the funding came from the same administration he has publicly supported.
U.S. Senator urges Elon Musk to stop Starlink abuse by Southeast Asia scam rings
Department of Energy Clarifies Decision
According to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, the funding cuts were part of an administrative review within the Department of Energy and had no link to the current government shutdown. The decision affects a multi-state hydrogen energy initiative aimed at boosting clean fuel development and creating jobs across the Pacific Northwest, including Montana.
The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub had been seen as an important step toward developing cleaner energy sources. The loss of this $1 billion grant could impact research centers, construction projects, and job opportunities connected to the clean-energy industry.
The Department of Energy stated that the change was part of an adjustment in federal priorities and not a result of political gridlock in Congress. However, the funding decision has now become a flashpoint in the broader debate over energy policy, government spending, and state-level economic development.
During the interview, Sheehy’s hesitation and silence after hearing the clarification about President Trump’s role created a viral moment that spread quickly online. The brief pause — and his eventual response — highlighted the pressure elected officials face when questioned live about controversial decisions that affect their states directly.
