As Shutdown Cuts Off Food Aid for Low-Income Americans, Trump Hosts Lavish Halloween Party

Democrats: "Trump Doesn't Care About the People"
U.S. Government Faces Longest Shutdown in History

Controversy has erupted as President Donald Trump hosted a Halloween party themed after "The Great Gatsby" just before the suspension of food assistance payments for low-income households due to the U.S. federal government shutdown. On November 2, Yonhap News, citing ABC and other outlets, reported that President Trump held the party at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on October 31, Halloween. The party was attended by his daughters Ivanka and Tiffany, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Controversy has arisen as President Donald Trump held a Halloween party themed around "The Great Gatsby" just before the federal government shutdown in the United States, which was about to halt food assistance payments for low-income families. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

This event took place on the eve of the suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food purchase subsidies for low-income individuals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture had previously announced that, due to depleted funds, it would halt SNAP payments to 42 million low-income recipients as of November 1.

The theme of the party further fueled the controversy. The party's theme, "A little party never killed nobody," is the title of a song from the soundtrack of the 2013 film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel "The Great Gatsby."

"The Great Gatsby" is a work that has long been acclaimed in literary circles for its depiction of wealth and class division in the United States during the 1920s "Jazz Age." The Jazz Age, marked by economic prosperity and a free-spirited social atmosphere, was a time of indulgence and extravagance that ended with the Great Depression. Photos released from the party show attendees in glamorous attire, including feathered accessories and flapper-style outfits reminiscent of the Jazz Age.

The party drew heavy criticism, particularly from Democrats. Ken Martin, Chair of the Democratic National Committee, said President Trump showed no concern for Americans who could lose SNAP benefits due to the shutdown, adding, "Trump has made it clear that he cares about no one but himself and his wealthy friends."

California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on social media, "Trump threw a 'Great Gatsby' party while 42 million Americans are losing their SNAP benefits," and added, "He doesn't care about you at all." Democratic Senator Chris Murphy also shared photos from the party on X, saying, "The way he displays his inhumanity to Americans is always astonishing." However, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated on November 1, "These Democrats are spouting nonsense," and added, "President Trump has consistently called on them to do the right thing and reopen the government, and they can do so at any time."

Suspension of Food Assistance Payments for 42 Million Low-Income Individuals

Meanwhile, the partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government is on the verge of breaking the record for the longest in history. The most significant variable in this shutdown is the suspension of food assistance payments to 42 million low-income individuals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture halted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments starting November 1, as congressional inaction on the budget led to a depletion of funds.

The partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government is approaching a record-breaking duration. The biggest variable in this shutdown is the suspension of food assistance payments to 42 million low-income individuals. Photo by AP Yonhap News

This is the first time since the program's inception in 1964 that SNAP, which subsidizes grocery purchases for low-income households, has been suspended. Originally distributed as physical coupons known as "Food Stamps," the benefits are now provided through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards. About one in eight Americans receives assistance from this program, but due to the Trump administration's hardline stance on the shutdown and the standoff between the two parties, the monthly subsidies-amounting to about 10 billion dollars (approximately 250 to 300 dollars per person)-have been cut off.

In the midst of this, a court order has temporarily blocked the SNAP suspension, prompting the Trump administration to use emergency funds to partially continue the program this month. This follows a federal court ruling that instructed the Trump administration to utilize 4.65 billion dollars in emergency funds before halting SNAP. However, it is estimated that about 9 billion dollars will be needed for November payments, so the future of SNAP disbursements will likely determine the direction of the shutdown.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.