As millions of Americans face hunger, President Donald Trump chose Halloween to host a lavish Great Gatsby-themed party at Mar-a-Lago, highlighting a stark disconnect between his priorities and the needs of ordinary citizens.
On November 1, funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), relied upon by some 42 million Americans, officially lapsed due to the ongoing government shutdown. Yet Trump spent the evening at his Palm Beach residence, surrounded by guests in Roaring 20s-style attire, flapper dancers, and his billionaire allies. According to the Associated Press, the official theme of the night was “Gatsby and a little party never killed nobody.”
Democrats were swift in their condemnation. California Governor Gavin Newsom slammed the president on X, saying, “He does not give a damn about you.” Representative Ro Khanna added, “Tax the rich. Feed hungry Americans,” highlighting the stark contrast between Trump’s opulent lifestyle and the plight of struggling families. Senator Chris Murphy called the event “ridiculously over the top,” accusing Trump of “illegally refusing to pay food stamp benefits” while enjoying the company of right-wing millionaires.
Trump, seated next to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, responded to criticism via White House spokesperson Anna Kelly, claiming Democrats were to blame for the funding lapse. He himself posted on Truth Social that he wanted courts to clarify how he could legally release SNAP funds, insisting, “I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT.”
Courts intervened quickly, ordering the administration to release emergency funds to prevent SNAP from collapsing. Rhode Island District Judge Jack McConnell emphasized that stopping funding would cause “irreparable harm” to millions of Americans. Massachusetts District Judge Indira Talwani gave the Trump administration until Monday to decide whether to release the money, noting the suspension was likely unlawful. Emergency funds totaling more than $5 billion could keep the program running temporarily, but Congress still must act to ensure long-term stability.
The optics of Trump celebrating while SNAP funding hung in the balance has drawn widespread outrage. The event, replete with gold, marble, and Roaring 20s extravagance, coincided with urgent legal battles to prevent millions of Americans from going hungry. Meanwhile, Trump also announced the renovation of the Lincoln Bedroom bathroom, showcasing yet another layer of personal luxury amid national hardship.
The contrast could not be starker: while the Trump administration fiddles with marble and flapper-themed parties, tens of millions of Americans face uncertainty over basic nutrition — a reality critics say underscores a troubling disregard for ordinary citizens in favor of billionaire indulgence.
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