Matt Maddock, a Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives, posted a series of tweets on July 20 and 21, 2025, commenting on social assistance programs, gun laws in Chicago, and sharing educational content.
On July 20, Maddock wrote about food assistance programs: “Because today 1 in 5 households is getting food stamps. When food stamps started it was 1 in 26. Hundreds of thousands are freeloading the system.” He expressed concern over what he described as an increase in reliance on food stamps since the program’s inception.
Later that same day, Maddock commented on gun laws in Chicago with apparent sarcasm: “Has to be fake news. There are NO GUNS IN CHICAGO. It’s a gun-free city.”
On July 21, he encouraged his followers to engage with educational material: “It’s Sunday and you have some time to watch something educational. Understand this. It’s the future.”
Food stamp participation has fluctuated over time due to economic conditions and policy changes. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, began in the early 1960s and has expanded eligibility criteria over decades to respond to poverty rates and economic downturns.
Chicago has regulations intended to restrict handgun possession; however, illegal firearms remain an issue despite these laws.
Maddock’s posts reflect ongoing debates regarding public assistance programs and urban gun violence policies.
