Trump official under fire for ‘insane’ SNAP fraudster Halloween costume

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins drew sharp criticism after posting a mock Halloween costume kit labeled "SNAP fraudster" on X, with critics calling the image racist. The Independent reports that it showed a Black man in jewelry before stacks of cash, with accessories including fake grills, an EBT card and handcuffs. Rollins warned anyone stealing from taxpayers that prison awaits. The post passed two million views.

Mehdi Hasan and Bill Kristol condemned it, and Ohio Rep. Shontel Brown said she would press Rollins on her motive when the secretary testifies before the Agriculture Committee in January. Virginia Rep. James Walkinshaw answered with his own mock costume casting President Donald Trump as a "convicted fraudster," pointing to his 34 felony convictions. Critics also noted that, per the Pew Research Center, non-Hispanic white people made up 37.4 percent of SNAP recipients in 2023, versus 28.7 percent who were Black.

Defenders, including commentator Benny Johnson, said the photo showed a real person: Shawty Dred, a social media figure charged last month in an alleged $4 million SNAP fraud scheme. Rollins confirmed this in a follow-up, telling the left to do its homework and linking a Justice Department announcement of the indictment.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Independent’s reporting. Read the full story at The Independent →