Trump and Musk Push Baseless Claims About Social Security Waste Amid Proposed Budget Cuts

Former U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk have intensified their claims that tens of millions of dead people are fraudulently collecting Social Security payments. This narrative, despite lacking evidence, is being used as a justification for potential dramatic budget cuts targeting major federal programs, including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

While Trump has repeatedly assured voters that his administration would protect Social Security, his recent alignment with Musk’s push for trimming “waste” and “fraud” suggests otherwise. Reports indicate that their goal is to find more than $1 trillion in savings, which could pave the way for significant tax cuts for America’s wealthiest households.

On Fox News’ Jesse Watters Primetime, recently confirmed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick praised Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” which he claimed is set to eliminate $1 trillion in waste, fraud, and abuse. Lutnick emphasized that entitlement programs, which amount to nearly $4 trillion, have not been thoroughly scrutinized before.

These statements have sparked concerns among economists and policy analysts, who warn that unfounded claims of fraud could be a pretext for rolling back essential benefits relied upon by millions of Americans. Critics argue that cuts to Social Security and healthcare programs could disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations while benefiting the nation’s wealthiest individuals.

As the debate over federal spending intensifies, many are questioning whether Trump’s administration will follow through on its previous commitments or if entitlement programs will face substantial reductions in the name of budget efficiency.