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The government shutdown and the new war on food stamps.

On Saturday, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits — also known as food stamps — will run out for more than 40 million Americans. Those millions of Americans are collateral damage from what is thus far the second-longest government shutdown in US history.

But even as the looming deadline has underscored the very real impact of the deadlock in Washington, DC, it has also led to the latest flare-up of America’s decades-long war over welfare benefits. On social media, creators are gaining views by posting rage bait posing as people receiving food assistance living a life of luxury on the government’s dime. These videos have racked up millions of views and tons of angry responses.

Krissy Clark is a journalist who has covered the social safety net on The Uncertain Hour podcast. Clark says that these videos are a part of a long history of Americans stereotyping SNAP recipients as lazy and entitled.

Clark spoke with Today, Explained host Noel King to talk about how the “welfare queen” stereotype has long been a presence in American politics and is still shaping policy today. Below is an excerpt of their conversation, edited for length and clarity. There’s much more in the full podcast, so listen to Today, Explained wherever you get podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify.

Tell me where your thoughts go when you see videos like this.

We have no idea who these people are or if they actually do receive food stamps or not. I was looking at one of these videos, and it’s specifically a parody account that says that it’s somebody who likes to do satire and skits. So I think one thing is: Are they actually authentically food stamp recipients themselves?

“Two-thirds of participants are children or adults over age 60 or people with disabilities.”