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Trump's Mar-a-Lago Bash Sparks Backlash Amid Shutdown

11/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended U.S. President Donald Trump’s Great Gatsby-themed party at Mar-a-Lago during a government shutdown, deflecting optics questions in a CNN interview.
Bessent blamed Democrats for the shutdown and compared Trump’s golfing to Barack Obama.
Critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, condemned the party as insensitive as SNAP benefits neared expiration.
The remarks sparked backlash and raised questions about the appropriateness of his comparisons and response.

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Story summary

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended U.S. President Donald Trump’s Great Gatsby-themed party at Mar-a-Lago during a government shutdown, deflecting optics questions in a CNN interview.
Bessent blamed Democrats for the shutdown and compared Trump’s golfing to Barack Obama.
Critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, condemned the party as insensitive as SNAP benefits neared expiration.
The remarks sparked backlash and raised questions about the appropriateness of his comparisons and response.