Federal Judges Require SNAP Funding Amid Trump Claims on Recipient Partisanship

President Donald Trump, amid the 2025 government shutdown, asserted on Air Force One that SNAP (food stamp) recipients are largely Democrats, a claim characterized as false or unverified by some outlets though partially supported by older data suggesting a slight Democratic majority among recipients. Trump criticized Democrats for not ending the shutdown, which threatens to halt SNAP funding and impact 41 million Americans relying on $8.6 billion monthly in benefits. Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled that SNAP funding must continue despite the shutdown. Trump’s comments came while en route to a Great Gatsby-themed Halloween party, drawing criticism for the perceived insensitivity given the party's themes of excess contrasted with the hardship of SNAP recipients. Notably, 25 of the 30 states Trump won in 2024 have above-average SNAP usage, highlighting tensions between his political base and his policies. Critics also condemned remarks from a Trump ally disparaging SNAP recipients, underscoring the political and social divides around the program.