Newsom slams Trump over lavish 'Great Gatsby' bash amid SNAP crisis: 'He doesn't give a damn'

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA: California Governor Gavin Newsom took a sharp swipe at President Donald Trump on early Saturday, November 1, accusing the Republican leader of flaunting his wealth as millions of Americans brace for a lapse in federal food assistance.

Newsom’s criticism came after Trump hosted an extravagant Halloween party themed after 'The Great Gatsby' at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday night, an event that coincided with the expiration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Newsom calls out Trump for hosting party as SNAP benefits disappear for 42 million Americans

“Donald Trump hosted a Great Gatsby party while SNAP benefits were about to disappear for 42 million Americans,” Gavin Newsom wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “He does not give a damn about you.”

The Democratic governor’s post quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention to the timing of Trump’s celebration. The lavish soiree, inspired by F Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel critiquing wealth and excess, featured glittering Jazz Age costumes, chandeliers, and a live orchestra.

Footage from the event showed Trump seated at a banquet table, speaking with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while guests mingled with celebrities and political allies dressed in flapper outfits and tuxedos.

Shutdown has reportedly already cost the US economy an estimated $7 billion to $15 billion

The SNAP program, which supports around 42 million Americans, expired at midnight following weeks of congressional deadlock over the federal budget. The shutdown, now in its fourth week, has halted funding for several key welfare programs and could soon surpass the record 35-day closure seen during Trump’s first term in 2019.

Economic analysts estimate that the current shutdown has already cost the US economy between $7 billion and $15 billion, roughly a 0.1 to 0.2 percent decline in GDP per week, due to stalled services, halted paychecks, and widespread uncertainty.

The White House has blamed the funding lapse on what it called unreasonable Democratic demands for increased spending on healthcare and social safety nets, though critics argue that the standoff stems from Trump’s insistence on deep cuts to social welfare programs.

Trump administration faces backlash over shutdown messaging

Many federal agency websites currently display banners accusing Democrats of causing the shutdown, a move that has drawn scrutiny for potentially violating the Hatch Act, which bars federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty.

Polls show that nearly 75 percent of voters are concerned about the ongoing shutdown, with close to half of respondents blaming Trump and congressional Republicans for the crisis.