ISTANBUL 

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that food assistance benefits will be provided only when Democrats agree to end the government shutdown, criticizing the previous administration's expansion of the program.

"SNAP benefits ... will be given only when the radical left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

He accused the administration of Joe Biden of expanding the program, arguing they “'handed' to anyone for the asking, as opposed to just those in need."

The statement came as roughly 42 million Americans lost benefits over the weekend following the lapse of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to a US government shutdown, which is on day 35.

US Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic effort Monday to restore full funding for SNAP.

"If Democrats really wanted to help struggling families, they'd stop blocking a clean continuing resolution," said Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso.

The Trump administration announced Monday it will release emergency funds to cover half of November's food assistance benefits, following court orders.

The administration previously said it would not use emergency funds because it wanted to preserve money for natural disasters and other emergencies, and claimed it did not have authorization to spend the funds.