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This was the period in which Republicans suffered a beating at the ballot box, the government shutdown turned into the most extended in history, and countless individuals throughout the country, encompassing three million residents in Florida, saw their nutrition assistance slashed.

However, in the contrasting world of Miami, where admission passes to an largely right-leaning business conference fronted by Donald Trump cost up to $1,990, and ultra-wealthy individuals from the Gulf kingdom rubbed shoulders with similarly wealthy American tycoons including Jeff Bezos and Ken Griffin, those events generated barely a ripple.

Conversely, in a move that seemed almost to mock the widening disparity between the urban area's haves and have-nots, organizers of the corporate summit cooked up a little treat for attendees: a fifty-dollar gift card to spend on food to support themselves while they paid attention to their president praise himself for a era of prosperity he said his “economic miracle” had achieved.

Advocates say the move, along with the high-budget extravagance of the conference itself, was an ill-timed insult to more than a half-million local residents who just saw their own ability to buy basic food items for their families kiboshed by the gutting of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap).

“There exists a significant cognitive dissonance between what ordinary citizens are going through, and the elite,” stated Larry Hannan, communications and policy director of a civic coalition, a alliance of over a 100 non-partisan, democracy-focused and civic engagement organizations.

“The Amazon founder does not need a fifty-dollar meal voucher. But we saw that with the 1920s-inspired gala last week. They just can’t seem to stop engaging in things that are shockingly disconnected.

“We have experienced government closures before, and while clearly the presidential environment is always somewhat unrealistic, presidents are typically smart enough, they generally know not to display this kind of behavior. But this government does not appear concerned.”

The leader's lengthy address on the event's second day had the flavor of a campaign event, with well-known criticisms for old political foes such as the Senate minority leader and California’s governor, and a new one: the newly elected democratic socialist mayor of New York.

Trump discussed his economic agenda, and lauded a host of speakers from the worlds of politics, athletics and business that filled the multi-day agenda, organized largely by the local official to showcase south Florida and its economic potential.

The soccer superstar, the Argentina soccer star and World Cup winner, offered celebrity glitz from the athletic world, along with grand slam winners Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams. A conversation between the city leader and the Venezuelan opposition leader, the political figure who last month won the prestigious award, was favorably viewed on the opening day.

Nevertheless in general it was a curious and clearly politically charged event with a roster of Trump sycophants on the stage, enthusiastically applauded by a audience of predominantly more youthful and wealthy supporters of the president in the crowd, some blending business suits with his signature red Make America Great Again (Maga) caps.

In what other way to explain the attendance of the rightwing president of Argentina, the nation whose shaky financial system the US helped shore up last month with a $20bn currency swap? Or that of Saudi Arabians Fahad AlSaif, head of its massive Public Investment Fund, and the ambassador, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the US, promoting their country as an opportunity while the former first family's business connections and influence there come under increased examination?

Additionally there was the leader of Fifa, dropping hints that Trump is in line for the group's first peace prize, an unwanted honor that observers see created specifically for the president as compensation for his prize rejection.

Other participants, including the chief executive of JP Morgan; the creator of WeWork; and the hedge-fund manager, have all previously supported, collaborated with or backed Trump, providing clear evidence of a politically skewed roster.

The Miami mayor, predictably, had a contrasting view.

“We wanted it to be a sort of a diverse representation from different verticals, right?” he explained to reporters.

“We got in a room. We said, ‘Hey, what are the prominent figures?’ People from varied origins, various heritages, different genders … athletics, business, politics, tech, things that touch everyone’s lives.”

He pointed to discussions of forthcoming, lucrative notable events in Miami, encompassing the F1 race, next year’s G20 economic summit at a golf resort, and games during the 2026 World Cup, which he called “a historic moment”.

“Our hope is that Miamians are transformed by the event,” the mayor said. “We want them to leave thinking, ‘I can be on that stage.’”

The advocates of State Voices Florida, however, believe numerous locals are more focused right now on different concerns, particularly soaring housing and food costs. The state's Republican governor declined a call from the group and others to declare an emergency over food assistance and utilize public funds to fund urgent nutrition programs.

“Any civics teacher would tell you it’s his job to look after the people of the state, and he’s doing the reverse,” Hannan said, observing the juxtaposition of a summit of billionaires taking place in the same county in which nearly one quarter of households depend on food stamps to get by.

“It appears to be this detachment at the top. I do not believe the solution is choosing a Democrat or selecting a Republican, I just think we have to have more empathy for people who are struggling in this region.”

Empathy was in short supply in the city from the former president, a leader unrecognized for ever taking responsibility during a difficult period.

“Opposition lawmakers are resulting in millions of citizens who rely on food stamps to go without support,” he said, blaming the opposition party for the government shutdown.

“My desire is to have a country that’s great again. Is that acceptable?”