The White House has clarified remarks made by President Donald Trump regarding the distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. On November 4, 2025, Trump suggested that SNAP payments would be halted until “Radical Left Democrats” reopened the federal government, a statement that contradicted existing court orders mandating the continued operation of the assistance program.
During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed reporters’ concerns over the president’s comments. She emphasized that the administration is “fully complying” with court directives, which require the federal government to utilize emergency funds to maintain SNAP operations.
Leavitt explained that Trump’s statement referred to future distributions of benefits, stating, “It’s going to take some time to receive this money because the Democrats have forced the administration into a very untenable position.” She further clarified that the president’s comments were not an indication of defiance against the court order but rather a reflection of the challenges posed by the ongoing government shutdown.
In his post on Truth Social, Trump criticized the SNAP program, claiming that benefits had been inappropriately increased during President Joe Biden‘s administration. He stated, “SNAP benefits, which increased by billions and billions of dollars, will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government.” The president’s message highlighted his view that the program had been mismanaged.
Leavitt reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring SNAP benefits reach those in need: “We are digging into a contingency fund that is supposed to be for emergencies. The president does not want to have to tap into this fund in the future.” She acknowledged that there would be delays in the distribution of SNAP payments and urged Congress to act quickly to resolve the government shutdown.
As the situation unfolds, the White House’s efforts to clarify Trump’s statements reflect the complexities surrounding federal assistance programs during periods of political contention. The administration’s approach aims to balance compliance with judicial mandates while navigating the implications of ongoing budgetary disagreements in Congress.
