Overview
- On Oct. 31, President Trump hosted a Great Gatsby–themed Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago, with guests in Roaring ’20s attire and Secretary of State Marco Rubio seated beside him.
- SNAP funding expired on Nov. 1 during the shutdown that began Oct. 1, interrupting benefits for about 42 million people across roughly 22 million households.
- Rhode Island Judge Jack McConnell directed the administration to tap emergency funds to keep SNAP operating, and Massachusetts Judge Indira Talwani found the suspension likely unlawful while giving the government until Monday to decide on releasing funds.
- Trump said he instructed lawyers to seek court guidance and pledged to provide SNAP funding if the court authorizes it.
- Democratic officials condemned the party and benefit lapse; the White House rejected the criticism and said Democrats should reopen the government, leaving immediate benefit restoration uncertain.