In a night of political controversy, President Donald Trump took to social media to denounce two federal judges’ rulings requiring the government to continue paying SNAP benefits amid the shutdown — just before he headed to a lavish “Great Gatsby”-themed party at Mar-a-Lago.
Two courts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island on October 31 ordered the White House to maintain funding for food assistance for millions of people who rely on food stamps. The decision prompted a strong response from the White House and the president, who accused “radical” Democrats of deliberately delaying the government’s reopening, affecting payments.
Trump said he had instructed his lawyers to ask the court to “clarify the legal way” to fund SNAP as soon as possible — recalling that he had diverted funds to pay military salaries during previous shutdowns. However, opposition lawmakers and some senators are demanding transparency: they are asking for all relevant legal opinions and a list of entities and mechanisms authorized to disburse funds.
As the legal debate heats up, Mar-a-Lago posted photos of guests dressed in 1920s attire, fueling a debate about public ethics and the priorities of the government. The question is clear: when millions are waiting for food aid, is it appropriate to hold a party?
The legal status may soon be clarified in court; until then, the debate between “responsibility to the people” and “administrative overreach” continues to divide public opinion.
