TikTok Users Threaten Looting and Violence as Food Stamp Funds Run Dry [WATCH]

Social media videos circulating on TikTok show users urging theft and violence as federal food stamp benefits face interruption because of the ongoing government shutdown, raising alarms among law enforcement and Republican critics who say the posts threaten public safety.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture warned this month that SNAP — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — will not have sufficient funds to cover full November benefits for roughly 42 million people across the country because of the “current lapse in appropriations.”

The announcement prompted an outpouring of clips on TikTok and other platforms in which users celebrate or promote looting, fighting and other criminal conduct should benefits fail to arrive.

In one widely shared video a man, irate over what he described as increased loss-prevention staff at a major retailer, urged viewers to resist store security and help others take goods.

“It just became ‘Help People Steal’ November. It just became ‘Help People Live’ November,” the man says in the clip.

“People deserve to eat, I dont give a fuck about Walmart’s profit margins. I personally will hold back a security guard. I will fight back a security guard if they try to stop someone from stealing food they need to fucking live.”

Man says that when EBT gets cut, people need to “hold security back” at grocery stores like Walmart so people can loot. pic.twitter.com/Al2z8tueqB

— EBT of TikTok (@EBTofTikTok) October 29, 2025

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Other posts collected by reporters and law-enforcement monitors include threats and taunts directed at private citizens and public institutions.

Woman says she plans on “still looting, still stealing” even if Walmart shuts down everything but curbside pickup.

“We don’t give a f*ck b*tch, Walmart ain’t the only grocery store, you dumb*ss hoes.” pic.twitter.com/eKcvxTpePi

— EBT of TikTok (@EBTofTikTok) October 29, 2025

One woman in a video threatened to “hunt” down white people and cannibalize them if food-stamp payments do not arrive, while another urged looting of stores that limit in-person shopping, adding the phrase “fuck Trump” in the video.

Woman has a violent message for the “white man”: We will hunt you down and eat you if you take our SNAP benefits pic.twitter.com/WkZNW2mfAn

— EBT of TikTok (@EBTofTikTok) October 29, 2025

Users have also posted taunting calls to action.

One clip’s caption reads “time to start LOOTING,” while a young woman said she would “go to the White House and start windmilling,” adding, “Everybody getting slapped,” and naming “babies” and “Trump” among those she would hit.

Woman says it’s time to start looting “cus they took our stampssss.” pic.twitter.com/3IbKgYVIuL

— EBT of TikTok (@EBTofTikTok) October 28, 2025

Woman says if EBT gets cut off, she will go to the White House and start “windmilling everybody.” pic.twitter.com/t4wG7KKVKg

— EBT of TikTok (@EBTofTikTok) October 28, 2025

In a separate post, a user wrote, “We robbing White people on 11/1,” and in video urged viewers to “clutch” their purses.

This woman says that starting November 1st, “we robbing White people” if EBT ends up getting cut. pic.twitter.com/rFE6YrJ6Un

— EBT of TikTok (@EBTofTikTok) October 28, 2025

Several videos show users boasting about shoplifting success. In one, a woman pulls out allegedly stolen items from a designer handbag; in another, a woman displays the size of her purse as proof of how many stolen items she can carry.

A young man in one video declared, “Stealing is never wrong,” as he discussed the prospect of SNAP benefits pausing.

Man says people should steal, whether or not their EBT gets cutoff.

“Stealing is never wrong.” pic.twitter.com/Hi7yD2Z5OJ

— EBT of TikTok (@EBTofTikTok) October 28, 2025

This TikTok creator shows off what she had just stole from a store, says, “I’m making some stuffed salmon today.”

“I don’t have food stamps anymore. They cut me off.” pic.twitter.com/SigIX4sOMb

— EBT of TikTok (@EBTofTikTok) October 28, 2025

This woman records herself dancing on camera while implying she will be using her oversized bag to steal if EBT gets cut. pic.twitter.com/Q3xGmc2rNa

— EBT of TikTok (@EBTofTikTok) October 28, 2025

Local and federal law-enforcement officials have said they are monitoring social-media threats tied to the SNAP pause and the broader shutdown.

Some retailers have increased loss-prevention staffing and adjusted store policies to reduce the risk of theft.

Authorities have warned that incitement to violence and organized theft are criminal offenses and that those who post threats or coordinate criminal activity online could face prosecution.

Republican lawmakers called attention to the social-media posts as evidence of the consequences they say flow from Democrats’ stewardship of federal spending decisions.

Conservative critics argue the threats underscore the need for swift legislative action to restore appropriations and avoid disruptions to benefit programs.

USDA officials have not specified the precise timeline for addressing the funding shortfall but said in a public notice that the agency expects “insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits” unless Congress acts to end the lapse in appropriations.

With roughly 42 million people enrolled in SNAP, the agency’s notice prompted immediate attention from both advocacy groups and political leaders who warned of potential hardship if payments are delayed.

Retailers and local officials are preparing contingency plans to protect stores and communities should shoplifting and looting increase.

Law-enforcement agencies urged store employees and shoppers to avoid confrontations and report threats to authorities.

The social-media clips have drawn condemnation from a range of public-safety officials and politicians who say the posts amount to irresponsible encouragement of criminal conduct.

Investigations into particular accounts and videos are ongoing as officials assess whether coordinated criminal activity is being organized through social platforms.