Halloween Night 2025 marked a lavish celebration at President Donald Trump‘s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where he hosted a Great Gatsby-themed party. The event featured a glamorous atmosphere reminiscent of the 1920s, complete with period costumes, dancers, and a nod to the Prohibition era. While the party evoked the hedonism depicted in F. Scott Fitzgerald‘s classic novel, it has drawn significant criticism for its insensitivity, especially as millions of Americans faced the imminent loss of crucial federal food assistance.
Critics have described Trump’s Halloween gathering as “tone-deaf,” particularly because it occurred just hours before 42 million Americans were set to lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This context heightened the scrutiny surrounding the celebration, prompting discussions about the disconnect between the opulence of Trump’s event and the hardships many Americans are enduring.
In a column published on his Substack page on November 4, economist Paul Krugman strongly refuted claims that the party was merely tone-deaf. He argued that Trump was fully aware of the implications of hosting such a celebration at a time of widespread economic distress. Krugman described the event as “grotesque,” highlighting the presence of extravagant entertainment, including sequined dancers and a woman in a giant martini glass, which he believes underscores Trump’s apparent indifference to the suffering of others.
Krugman pointed to the historical context of Trump’s actions, referencing an article by Adam Serwer in The Atlantic from 2018 titled “The Cruelty Is the Point.” Serwer’s observations about Trump’s supporters, who often vote against their own economic interests, remain relevant. Krugman noted that the celebration reflected a broader pattern of joy in cruelty exhibited by Trump and his associates, suggesting that the event was not simply a case of insensitivity but rather a deliberate flaunting of privilege in stark contrast to the struggles faced by many.
The guests at the Mar-a-Lago party included influential figures and wealthy supporters. Krugman speculated about their motivations, suggesting that many either share in the cruelty of Trump’s inner circle or are indifferent to the suffering around them. He concluded that the Halloween event was not just a celebration of excess but an assertion of power and privilege that disregards the plight of the vulnerable.
The full text of Paul Krugman’s column is available on his Substack page, providing further insights into the implications of Trump’s extravagant gathering amidst significant social challenges.
