President Donald J. Trump announced that the number of Americans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits has dropped by more than 600,000 since he took office. The statement was made during his address at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Wednesday.
Trump stated, “In nine months, we’ve lifted over 600,000 Americans off food stamps.” According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, between January and May 2025, the number of SNAP recipients fell by 645,315, from 42,380,525 to 41,735,210. The decline has been gradual since October 2024, with a total reduction of 1,515,619 recipients through May 2025.
While the exact reasons for the drop remain unclear, factors such as declining inflation and increased domestic industrial investment are cited as potential contributors. Trump’s administration has emphasized efforts to boost corporate investment in American manufacturing, aiming to create well-paying blue-collar jobs.
Meanwhile, the USDA confirmed that food assistance for nearly 42 million low- and no-income Americans will not be distributed on time in November due to the ongoing government shutdown. The funding halt, triggered by Senate Democrats blocking a continuing resolution in October, has disrupted nonessential federal services, including SNAP.
