Trump Hosts Mar-a-Lago Halloween Gala as SNAP Threatened

On Oct. 31 President Donald Trump hosted a Great Gatsby–themed Halloween gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate; photos show guests in 1920s attire and reporters were later ordered to leave the event. The party coincided with warnings that a government shutdown could prevent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments to roughly 42 million Americans. Democratic leaders including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Chris Murphy and DNC chair Ken Martin criticized the timing as callous. The White House and Trump blamed Democrats for the shutdown, while Trump said administration lawyers believed they lacked legal authority to pay SNAP from certain funds. Courts and some Republican lawmakers urged action or negotiation to continue benefits as families and federal workers faced hardship, with some communities preparing shelf-stable food instead of candy for trick-or-treaters.