David Muir Lashes Out at Trump as Court Orders Him to Use Emergency Funds for SNAP

ABC anchor David Muir strongly criticized Donald Trump after a federal court ordered the president to use emergency funds to restore SNAP the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that provides food benefits to over 40 million Americans.

The ruling came after weeks of uncertainty during the prolonged government shutdown. With no money left in the Agriculture Department’s budget, the country’s main food assistance program was on the verge of collapsing. SNAP requires roughly $8.6 billion each month to operate, and many families were preparing for the worst before the court’s intervention.

Two federal judges issued back-to-back rulings that directed the Trump administration to immediately continue SNAP funding using contingency or emergency reserves. Judge Indira Talwani went a step further, demanding that the administration confirm how it plans to use those funds by Monday. It remains unclear, however, how much money the government will allocate or how long it will last.

David Muir covered the breaking news during *ABC World News Tonight*, interrupting his normal broadcast to call out the administration’s handling of the crisis. Opening the segment, he said, “Day 31 of this government shutdown, just hours before more than 40 million Americans were set to lose federal food assistance, a federal judge has now ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funds to pay for it.”

Muir’s correspondent Jay O’Brien added that the decision came just in time to prevent millions from going hungry. He explained that the Trump administration had initially resisted the order, arguing it did not have the authority to use emergency funds for SNAP. Later that evening, Trump released a statement claiming he had asked government lawyers to “seek the court’s direction” on how to legally move forward and added that it would be “an honor” to provide the funds if the court approved.

During a separate press appearance, Trump shifted blame toward Democrats, saying, “All the Democrats have to do is say, ‘Let’s go.’ They don’t have to do anything. All they have to do is say, ‘The government is open.’” His comments were met with frustration, especially since Congress members continue to receive paychecks while millions of struggling families face uncertainty about their next meal.

Muir highlighted this inequality on air, noting that while millions worry about feeding their children, lawmakers remain unaffected by the shutdown’s impact. His remarks struck a nerve with viewers, and clips of the broadcast quickly spread across social media. Many users expressed outrage at the administration, accusing Trump of neglecting the poor and manipulating the crisis for political gain.

One user wrote that Trump’s actions could soon lead to impeachment, while another said, “They want chaos—riots and looting—so they can declare martial law.” Others accused Trump of playing the hero after creating the very problem he was now being forced to fix. “Even if he funds it tomorrow, he’s not the hero,” one comment read.

Judge Talwani reaffirmed in her decision that no matter the political or financial situation, the government cannot suddenly stop providing benefits without following due legal process. The court’s ruling not only restored hope for millions of struggling Americans but also exposed deep political divisions over how the administration has handled one of the worst hunger crises in recent memory.

The public debate continues, but one thing is clear—this legal battle has intensified scrutiny of Trump’s leadership and reignited national conversation about responsibility, empathy, and the real meaning of public service.