Based on recent events, the phrase “Trump, Gimme Shelter!” appears to be connected to calls from Donald Trump for action regarding crime and homelessness in Washington D.C., possibly referencing the Rolling Stones song “Gimme Shelter”, but potentially in a different context or referring to a related podcast.
Context and potential meanings
Evicting homeless people from Washington DC: Donald Trump has made social media posts and announced plans to address homelessness and crime in Washington D.C., stating the homeless need to move out, according to NBC4 Washington. He suggested providing shelter “far from the Capital” and imprisoning criminals.
Trump and Rolling Stones music: The Rolling Stones previously warned Trump against using their music at his campaign rallies and threatened legal action if he continued doing so.
“Gimme Shelter” Podcast: “Gimme Shelter” is the title of a CalMatters podcast and Los Angeles Times podcast focused on California’s housing crisis, which has examined Trump’s statements and policies related to housing, suburbs, and homelessness.
Trump’s comments on the suburbs: Trump has made comments warning about Democrats’ housing policies and their potential impact on “Suburban Housewives of America”, using rhetoric that has been linked to historical patterns of racial segregation in housing by the “Gimme Shelter” podcast.
Current developments
Trump’s statements about relocating homeless individuals from Washington D.C. have drawn attention and criticism, according to Newsweek.
There are questions about the legal authority Trump has to carry out such actions, as his control over the city is limited to federal land and buildings.
Reports suggest that the Trump administration may consider deploying the National Guard to Washington D.C. to address crime concerns.
Crime statistics provided by the Washington D.C. police department contradict Trump’s claims of a rising crime wave, showing a decrease in violent crime this year compared to last year.
Local officials and organizations, such as the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, have expressed concerns about the potential consequences of such policies, particularly regarding the displacement of vulnerable individuals.
A recent executive order by Trump, signed July 24, addresses homelessness by encouraging communities to sweep homeless camps and place individuals in treatment facilities, even without consent, which has generated worry among housing and social work experts.
The phrase “Trump, Gimme Shelter!” can thus be understood in the context of recent discussions about homelessness, crime in Washington D.C., and potentially as a reference to a podcast discussing these topics in relation to Trump’s policies and statements.
A Chinese navy warship and a China Coast Guard cutter crashed into one another in the South China Sea on Monday while chasing a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, video footage shows.
New York City’s tallest subway station will soon have elevators, ending the daunting climb to the platform, state officials announced Friday.
The Smith-9th Street stop in Gowanus — the tallest station in the city and one of the tallest in the world — rises nearly 90 feet above ground. It lacks elevators and efficient escalators, making accessibility difficult for many New Yorkers, including people with disabilities, seniors and commuters carrying packages.
That’s about to change. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, who represents the area, said Aug. 8 the station will get elevators as part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s approved $68.4 billion capital plan for 2025-2029.
“Every day, New Yorkers hike the stairs up this station like they’re climbing Mount Everest, struggling to catch the train on time. And if you use a wheelchair, push your child in a stroller, travel with luggage or simply struggle climbing the stairs, forget about it,” Gounardes said. “With elevators coming to the Smith-9th Street station, that’s finally going to change.”
The MTA did not say when the elevators would open at the 92-year-old station. The announcement comes a month after the July 8 opening of the fully ADA-accessible Bay Ridge-95th Street station in Brooklyn.
An aerial view shows the Smith-9th Street subway station towering over Gowanus.Photo courtesy of Mtattrain/Wikimedia Commons
Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon praised the MTA for making accessibility a priority in its capital plan, noting that Smith-9th Street has a “long history” of escalators breaking down.
“Adding elevators to the station is a huge win for transit equity and for the thousands of riders who rely on this stop every day,” Simon said. “Climbing the tallest station in the system shouldn’t be an endurance test. I commend the MTA for making accessibility a priority in the Capital Plan, especially at tough stations like Smith-9th that present greater challenges than most.”
Officials said the upgrades will push the subway system to more than 50% accessibility.
“No station better demonstrates the need for accessibility than Smith-9th Street, the highest point in the entire subway system, and we’re excited to start work there and throughout the borough soon,” said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo.
The MTA has to meet a court-approved settlement to ensure that 95% of NYC’s subway stations are ADA-accessible by 2055.
A version of this story first appeared on Brooklyn Paper’s sister site amNewYork
