By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Trump hosted a lavish, Great Gatsby-themed Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago, featuring elaborate costumes and décor, just hours before millions of Americans faced a cutoff from food assistance programs. This event occurred on October 31st, coinciding with the suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the government shutdown, impacting approximately 40 million people. Footage showed Trump mingling with political allies and celebrities while the Department of Agriculture cited a lack of funding for the program. The party’s theme, referencing the emptiness of wealth, was seen by some as insensitive given the impending food assistance cutoffs.
Read the original article here
Trump gathers MAGA pals for a “Gatsby” themed party, a stark contrast to the impending SNAP benefit cuts, highlights a glaring disconnect. It’s hard to ignore the symbolism here, the sheer audacity of it all. This wasn’t a blunder; it was a deliberate statement. It felt less like being tone-deaf and more like a calculated jab, a gleeful flaunting of wealth and privilege while millions faced hardship. This kind of display, especially when contrasted with the struggles of ordinary Americans, has a long history of being a catalyst for social upheaval.
Instead of getting bogged down in the superficial theme, the very fact that this party happened, that it was even considered appropriate, speaks volumes. While millions of Americans were about to have their safety net pulled out from under them, Trump and his inner circle were indulging in a lavish, opulent celebration. The focus on the extravagant ballroom, on the gaudy gold, is almost beside the point. It is a reflection of a mindset, a detachment from the realities faced by a significant portion of the population. Those who continue to support Trump, the “completely under control of King Donald,” seem to prioritize the spectacle, the glamour, even if it comes at the expense of others’ well-being.
It’s hard to understand how this isn’t a greater cause for concern among those who, at least in theory, value principles of patriotism. How does this kind of blatant disregard for the struggles of the working and lower classes not bother the average republican voter? And, considering *Les Misérables* is cited as one of his favorites, the irony is nearly unbearable. One of the central themes of *The Great Gatsby* is the recklessness of the wealthy, their obliviousness to the consequences of their actions on the less fortunate. It’s hard not to draw parallels to the historical periods of wealth disparity and social unrest.
The parallels to historical events, like the French Revolution, are impossible to ignore. A banquet while the people are hungry…It all feels so deliberate. The very choice of the “Gatsby” theme, with its undertones of excess and the pursuit of wealth, is a provocative gesture. This seems to be a case of celebrating the demise of a safety net while they live high on the hog.
The situation has surpassed the levels of wealth disparity experienced in the last gilded age. It’s a reminder of a darker historical period, one characterized by social inequality and political instability. The accumulation of wealth by the elites has created the conditions ripe for a rise of authoritarianism. As the wealthy feast, a large portion of the population struggles, unable to provide healthcare, housing, and nutrition. The constant attacks on the poor, on the vulnerable, on anyone who is not part of the ruling class. There is concern about where this ends.
The parallels in history should not be missed. The same kind of wealth that fueled the decline of democracy and the rise of authoritarianism. It’s a recurring pattern. The constant displays of wealth, while millions struggle, serve as a stark reminder of the widening gap between the haves and have-nots. The recklessness of the elite.
The historical echoes are unsettling. Trump, much like Gatsby, presents an illusion of wealth, while the true cost of his lifestyle is borne by others. The luxury lifestyle is supported by those who voted him into the White House. This is the future some can see if the system is not checked.
It is not “tone deaf” because they know exactly what they’re doing and are rubbing it in the poor communities faces that the government of pedo protectors get to eat while many Americans suffer. The cutting of essential benefits. It is a feature and not a bug. They do not care.