Former President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk have raised concerns about fraud in the U.S. Social Security system. Trump recently claimed there is “probable fraud” in the program, while Musk has gone as far as calling it a “Ponzi scheme.” These claims have sparked debates about whether Social Security is in trouble and whether Trump and Musk will make major changes. Here’s what we know so far.
Trump’s Claims About Social Security Fraud
During a recent speech, Trump stated that the Social Security system is being mismanaged and that fraud is widespread. He alleged that the government is mistakenly paying Social Security benefits to dead people—some supposedly as old as 160 years. However, there is no solid evidence to support these claims.
Government records do show some errors in the Social Security system, but fraud at the scale Trump suggests has not been proven. A report found that between 2015 and 2023, the Social Security Administration (SSA) made about $72 billion in improper payments—less than 1% of the total benefits paid out.
Musk’s Role in the Social Security Investigation
Elon Musk and officials from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have reportedly been looking into Social Security fraud. Their actions have led to controversy, including the resignation of SSA’s acting head, Michelle King, in February 2024.
Musk has publicly stated that Social Security may be experiencing “the biggest fraud in history.” He argues that investigating waste and fraud will help protect Americans’ benefits. However, he has not proposed specific policy changes or cuts beyond existing workforce reductions at SSA.
Social Security Job Cuts and Office Closures
The SSA recently announced that it will cut around 7,000 jobs, focusing on roles that do not provide “mission-critical services.” Additionally, the agency plans to reduce its 10 regional offices down to four. Critics argue these cuts could lead to delays in services and processing Social Security benefits.
Is the Government Paying Social Security to Dead Americans?
One of the most shocking claims by Trump and Musk is that millions of dead people are receiving Social Security payments. While it is true that outdated records exist, experts say this issue is being exaggerated.
For instance, SSA’s system sometimes lists people as being 150 years old due to outdated programming. This doesn’t mean they are receiving benefits—just that the system has incomplete birthdate records. The agency automatically stops payments for anyone listed as 115 years or older.
Will Trump or Musk Cut Social Security Benefits?
Both Trump and Musk have stated that they do not plan to cut benefits for Americans. However, some critics are skeptical. Trump has previously suggested that “entitlement reform” (which includes Social Security and Medicare) might be necessary. His administration has already made broad spending cuts across multiple government agencies, raising concerns that Social Security could be next.
Trump’s Plan to Eliminate Social Security Taxes
Trump has also proposed eliminating taxes on Social Security payments. While this idea may sound appealing to retirees, experts warn it could make the program run out of money even faster. The Social Security fund is already projected to be depleted by 2034, and removing these taxes could speed up that timeline.
Concerns Over Data Privacy and DOGE’s Access
Musk’s involvement in Social Security investigations has raised concerns over privacy. The SSA holds sensitive information, including Social Security numbers, employment records, and bank details. Some experts worry that DOGE accessing this data could be a serious security risk.
Musk has denied any interest in misusing personal data, stating that if he wanted to, he could have done so during his time at PayPal. However, critics argue that giving him access to such records without oversight is risky.
Conclusion
Trump and Musk’s claims about widespread Social Security fraud have sparked major debates, but there is little evidence to support large-scale fraud. While Trump insists that he won’t cut Social Security, past comments about entitlement reform have made critics wary. Musk’s involvement in investigating fraud has raised concerns about privacy and potential policy changes. With the SSA cutting jobs and offices, the future of Social Security remains uncertain.
