California Gov. Gavin Newsom mocked Donald Trump with an AI image portraying him as Marie Antoinette as the shutdown deepens and SNAP aid remains uncertain.
In a string of postings on X on Friday, Newsom attacked Trump, saying he "DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU" and attempting to obstruct food supplies.
In response to a CNN report about Trump's travel to Florida during the longest government shutdown, his press office went farther and accused the Trump administration of "fighting tooth and nail to starve children."
The press office captioned the AI-generated image, which shows Trump dressed like an 18th-century Antoinette and was previously used by Newsom as a symbol of self-centered luxury while others go hungry, with the words "GOOD NIGHT, PEASANTS!"
Trump is expected to depart on Sunday after arriving at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Friday. The precise arrival and departure timings were not specified in the Federal Aviation Administration notice.
Additionally, a judge's ruling mandating that Trump's administration properly fund SNAP following a week-long delay was temporarily blocked by the Supreme Court on Friday night, marking the first time in the program's 61-year history. The administration's urgent plea was denied by a federal appeals court on Friday, but the Supreme Court promptly issued a temporary freeze while the legal dispute is ongoing.
Before returning to Florida for Mar-a-Lago's seasonal Halloween party and a MAGA Inc. super PAC dinner, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted Halloween parties at the White House last week.
The Antoinette photo was previously used by Newsom's press office in October in response to allegations
that construction on Trump's new White House ballroom is still ongoing despite
the closure of several government agencies as a result of a budget impasse.
TRUMP ‘MARIE ANTOINETTE’ SAYS, ‘NO HEALTH CARE FOR YOU PEASANTS, BUT A BALLROOM FOR THE QUEEN!’ the governor’s press office posted, mocking Trump’s trademark all-caps social posts.
Antoinette, queen of France during the 1789 Revolution, is
famously, but likely inaccurately, credited with saying “Let them eat cake” in
response to starving peasants, often reiterated to illustrate the aristocracy’s
obliviousness to the suffering of common people.
How could the shutdown affect SNAP benefits timeline?
The government arrestment has caused significant detainments in the distribution of November SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits because backing appropriations have n't been approved.However, countries can not pierce civil finances to issue SNAP benefits on their normal schedule, leading to missed or delayed payments, If the arrestment extends past the morning of November.
Some countries have begun partial or early payments as they navigate exigency finances or court orders, but full distribution remains uncertain and could take weeks to months due to backing and procedural challenges. This detention forces families reliant on SNAP to face delicate choices, including skipping reflections or prioritizing other charges like rent.
Civil judges have ordered the administration to use contingency and optional finances to issue at least partial SNAP payments, but the timeline for full benefits remains unclear amid ongoing accommodations and legal rulings.