President Donald Trump celebrated Halloween with a lavish Great Gatsby-themed bash at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Oct. 31, even as 42 million Americans prepared to lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the ongoing government shutdown.
The 79-year-old president hosted the Roaring ’20s event, inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel, at his Palm Beach, Florida property. He was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other guests, with attendees dressed in flapper-era style and the theme described as “The Great Gatsby, the Roaring ’20s, and a little party never killed nobody,” according to reports from AFP News Agency’s Danny Kemp and NewsNation’s Kellie Meyer.
Footage shared by Meyer on X showed Trump and Rubio chatting and smiling at a table before members of the press were asked to leave the venue.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2):format(webp)/donald-trump-110125-2-c47caaeed9574f3b92014d266245f7de.jpg)
While the opulent celebration took place, millions of Americans faced the imminent suspension of their SNAP benefits—often referred to as food stamps—beginning Nov. 1. The U.S. Department of Agriculture had warned that insufficient funding would prevent 42 million recipients from receiving benefits amid the prolonged shutdown, which began on Oct. 1. The program provides assistance to about one in eight Americans.
The following day, Trump reportedly spent Nov. 1 golfing at his Palm Beach club, Meyer noted on X.
Political Reaction and Criticism
The timing of the party drew sharp criticism from political figures including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy. “Donald Trump hosted a Great Gatsby party while SNAP benefits were about to disappear for 42 million Americans,” Newsom wrote on X, sharing Kemp’s photo from the event. “He does not give a damn about you.”
The Shutdown’s Toll
Now entering its second month, the shutdown is the second-longest in U.S. history. The main point of contention remains the Affordable Care Act (ACA): Democrats are pushing to extend ACA tax credits to prevent surging health insurance premiums, while Republicans have refused to move forward until after the government reopens.
The shutdown has left hundreds of thousands of federal employees either furloughed or working without pay. Among them is LaShanda Palmer, a longtime Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer at the Philadelphia International Airport. Palmer, who supports her 6-year-old grandchild and two of her five children, has not been paid since the shutdown began.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2):format(webp)/donald-trump-110125-4-d317d0491eec4f13bb9600c464ee363b.jpg)
“I have a car note, insurance, and rent due on Nov. 1,” she explained. “It is extremely hard.” With her checking account overdrawn and fees accumulating, Palmer said she fears eviction if her rent remains unpaid.
Having endured a previous shutdown during Trump’s first term, Palmer reflected, “I don’t want to get an eviction notice. I’m working, but I can’t access my pay. I should have it.”
The contrast between the extravagant Halloween celebration and the financial struggles of millions has intensified scrutiny of the administration’s handling of the shutdown, highlighting the growing frustration among affected Americans.
