Trump Hosts Mar-a-Lago Gatsby Party Amid SNAP Food Aid Shutdown

President Donald Trump hosted a lavish Great Gatsby-themed Halloween party at his Mar-a-Lago estate amid a prolonged federal government shutdown, which has led to the suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that supports 42 million Americans. The event, featuring 1920s-era attire and luxury, drew fierce criticism from Democrats and public officials, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Senator Chris Murphy, who condemned the president's actions as insensitive and inhumane given the widespread hunger and economic hardship facing millions. Despite multiple federal court rulings ordering the continuation of food aid funding, the Trump administration initially resisted, prompting legal interventions to keep SNAP benefits flowing. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly defended the president, asserting that Democrats could reopen the government at any time. The stark contrast between the opulent party and the struggles of SNAP beneficiaries has become a symbol of perceived misplaced priorities during a national crisis. This controversy is compounded by ongoing construction projects at the White House, which critics say further illustrate the administration's disregard for pressing social needs.