As the government shutdown stretches into its 33rd day, top Republicans are presenting Donald Trump as a “big-hearted president” eager to reopen the U.S. government. However, this narrative clashes with the reality that he is delaying food assistance funding for millions of low-income Americans while continuing the construction of a lavish $300 million ballroom at the White House.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, in a recent interview, depicted Trump as frustrated and desperate to resolve the impasse to alleviate the suffering of ordinary citizens. “He’s just desperate for the government to open; he’s tried everything he can,” Johnson stated, emphasizing Trump’s desire for everyone to receive their services.

However, the speaker’s optimistic portrayal contrasts sharply with Trump’s actual influence over the shutdown. While he asserts he lacks the power to end the stalemate, he exerts significant control over the ongoing crisis, resisting political pressure to assist vulnerable populations.

Recently, two federal judges mandated that the Trump administration utilize $5 billion in contingency funds to continue food assistance through SNAP for as many as 42 million low-income Americans. The shutdown halted these payments, creating a serious risk of hunger for millions.

Despite the court’s directive, uncertainty looms over when or if the administration will restart the crucial benefits. Trump has indicated that he is awaiting clarification from the judges regarding the source of the funds.

With a federal deadline for resuming SNAP benefits looming, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged that partial payments could begin as soon as Wednesday, affirming that the administration would not appeal the judges’ ruling.

Instead of accessing the necessary funds, Trump has been encouraging Republican senators to eliminate the Senate filibuster, which currently requires 60 votes for most legislation, including measures to end the shutdown.

Responding to this situation, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Trump of “weaponizing hunger” during an appearance on CNN. He asserted that funding exists to maintain food assistance through November, criticizing the administration for prioritizing other initiatives over basic human needs.

Jeffries emphasized that the administration can find money for various projects but fails to secure funding to prevent Americans from going hungry.

As the shutdown’s toll begins to affect citizens nationwide—causing delays at airports and hardship for low-income families—polls indicate that Trump’s Republican Party is shouldering most of the blame. A recent NBC News poll revealed that 52% of respondents hold Trump and congressional Republicans responsible, while 42% blame Democrats.

This division aligns with familiar partisan lines, with liberals, young voters, and Black Americans predominantly blaming Trump, while self-identified supporters of the MAGA movement tend to blame Democrats.

Currently, Senate Democrats remain steadfast in their refusal to cooperate with Republicans to reactivate the government, with only three Democratic senators breaking ranks. The majority insist any agreement must include provisions to extend healthcare tax credits to avoid significant premium hikes in 2026 under the Affordable Care Act.

One of these senators, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, criticized his party, asserting, “Democrats really need to own the shutdown. This is wrong; we are hurting the very people we fight for.”

As the shutdown persists, air traffic controllers—considered essential federal employees—are facing payment interruptions. Reports indicate that 80% of controllers in the busy New York region did not report for shifts recently, leading to operational challenges at at least 35 FAA facilities, including some of the nation’s largest airports.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy underscored that safety is a priority, stating, “The real consequence is, what kind of rolling delays do you have throughout the system? I think it’s only going to get worse.” He noted that as the shutdown continues, more air traffic controllers will have to choose between supporting their families and showing up for work.