Conservative activist goes down in flames after claiming Trump got what he wanted from the shutdown

Chairman of the American Conservative Union Matt Schlapp insisted Monday that President Donald Trump's loss to Nancy Pelosi was a win because it showed the president fighting.

Host Alisyn Camerota got right to the point, asking Schlapp if he was "happy or disappointed" that Trump "reopened the government without any money for his border wall." Surprisingly, Schlapp insisted Trump got what he wanted.

"There's $211 million in the CR for barriers, which is $1.3 billion annualized. As you know we have over 600 miles of barriers on the southern border that Democrats voted for and paid for," Schlapp said, adding that "a lot of semantics and spin" had muddied the issue. "I think a lot of Democrats realize that looking like they're against border security is bad politics."

"Are you trying to say this was a win for the president?" asked Camerota, cocking an eyebrow.

"No, I don't think it was a win at all," replied Schlapp who, suddenly cognizant of what he'd just admitted, began stammering and looking for a way out. "The fact -- look. Trump's brand, number one brand, is that he fights. For conservatives and Republicans and Trump supporters, which are distinct categories, they like it when he fights." Schlapp continued to say that Trump's shutdown showed how far the president was "willing to go."

"His brand is also deal making and that didn't go so well over these 35 days," shot back Camerota.

Watch the video below.