'Quit this charade!' Trump rejects responsibility for looming food stamp crisis

President Donald Trump posted a lengthy manifesto to Truth Social on Friday, refusing to accept responsibility for the imminent end of funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and potential hunger for millions of low-income Americans — and telling affected people to call Democrats and demand they cave to him in the shutdown fight instead.

Despite two federal courts instructing Trump to release emergency SNAP funding for the task, he continued to insist he didn't have the power to do so.

"Our Government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with certain monies we have available, and now two Courts have issued conflicting opinions on what we can and cannot do," said Trump. "I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT. Therefore, I have instructed our lawyers to ask the Court to clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible."

"It is already delayed enough due to the Democrats keeping the Government closed through the monthly payment date and, even if we get immediate guidance, it will unfortunately be delayed while States get the money out," said Trump. "If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the Court, it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding, just like I did with Military and Law Enforcement Pay."

"The Democrats should quit this charade where they hurt people for their own political reasons, and immediately REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT," the president added. "If you use SNAP benefits, call the Senate Democrats, and tell them to reopen the Government, NOW! Here is Cryin’ Chuck Schumer’s Office Number: (202) 224-6542."

This comes after Trump drew outrage for demanding Democrats, who do not currently control any federal division of the government, "fix" the looming spike in Affordable Care Act premiums, despite the extension of subsidies for the program being the entire reason for the shutdown standoff.