'Drunk operating a wrecking ball': Insiders warn cuts already dismantling Social Security
5 days, 13 hours ago

'Drunk operating a wrecking ball': Insiders warn cuts already dismantling Social Security

Raw Story  

Current and former insiders at the Social Security Administration have told the New York Times that X owner Elon Musk is risking the entire system that pays out benefits that retired and disabled Americans rely on. Michael Astrue, a former SSA commissioner appointed under President George W. Bush, told the Times that Musk appears to be using the same playbook on the Social Security Administration that he used when he acquired Twitter — engage in mass firings and then try to rebuild the system from the ground up. Jason Fichtner, a former deputy commissioner and chief economist at the SSA, told the Times that Musk and his minions at the Department of Government Efficiency were acting "like a drunk operating a wrecking ball" in their approach to the agency. Angela Digeronimo, a claims specialist and a union leader in New Jersey who has been working at the SSA for nearly three decades, told the Times that she believes Musk's plans are going to result in the agency being completely dismantled.

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History of this topic

'A move of almost cartoonish cruelty': Economist slams ​Elon Musk Social Security scheme
3 days, 14 hours ago

'A move of almost cartoonish cruelty': Economist slams ​Elon Musk Social Security scheme

Raw Story  

Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman on Wednesday buried billionaire Elon Musk for his reported plans to gut the Social Security Administration by cutting telephone services for beneficiaries. "Bear in mind that we’re talking about older and/or disabled Americans, many of whom are unable to access the internet and physically unable to visit SSA offices — which would in any case …

'Parasitical': Analyst blames cruel worldview for driving Musk's Social Security agenda
4 days, 14 hours ago

'Parasitical': Analyst blames cruel worldview for driving Musk's Social Security agenda

Raw Story  

Elon Musk’s laser-like focus on Social Security can be blamed on one thing, a columnist wrote Monday — a belief that retired people are a “parasitical” drain on the nation’s resources. “In light of that, when he speaks of ‘waste’ in Social Security, he's hinting at this broader view that retired people are inherently illegitimate. “When the end goal is …

Elon Musk's war on Social Security unmasks the GOP's true disdain for retirees
5 days, 2 hours ago

Elon Musk's war on Social Security unmasks the GOP's true disdain for retirees

Salon  

"Social Security is not being touched," Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga tried to assuage his panicked Michigan constituents earlier this month. Social Security is facing an all-out assault from Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency" — and voters know it. While he tends to emphasize the "more babies" part of the equation to fix this alleged problem, it's not much of …

'Already happening': Outrage as seniors claim Trump is already 'stealing' benefits
6 days, 5 hours ago

'Already happening': Outrage as seniors claim Trump is already 'stealing' benefits

Raw Story  

"DOGE is a disaster of incompetence." That's how one political scientist responded to Saturday reporting about a Washington state man fighting for his Social Security benefits as U.S. President Donald Trump and the head of his Department of Government Efficiency, billionaire Elon Musk, attack the federal bureaucracy, including the agency that administers payments to seniors like Leonard "Ned" Johnson. U.S. …

'Screams his freaking head off!' MSNBC's Rachel Maddow floored by Dem's searing takedown
1 week, 3 days ago

'Screams his freaking head off!' MSNBC's Rachel Maddow floored by Dem's searing takedown

Raw Story  

The epic fist-pounding rant unleashed by Rep. John Larson left MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow celebrating the explosive takedown of DOGE head Elon Musk’s efforts to dismantle Social Security – and the surprising result. “Veteran Democratic Congressman John Larson of Connecticut just ripping the bark off today about Social Security and what Republicans are really doing here,” Maddow said. “And indeed, as …

‘Not above the law’: Fist-pounding Dem explodes and demands to know ‘where’s Elon Musk?’
1 week, 3 days ago

‘Not above the law’: Fist-pounding Dem explodes and demands to know ‘where’s Elon Musk?’

Raw Story  

A top House Democrat exploded in anger during a committee hearing on Wednesday, outraged over the absence of Elon Musk, the leader of President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, whose team has turned their attention to Social Security. He’s been on television the last couple of days, talking exactly about Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and what he intends to …

Musk pushing Social Security to end phone service — forcing seniors to go online for help
1 week, 3 days ago

Musk pushing Social Security to end phone service — forcing seniors to go online for help

Raw Story  

The Social Security Administration may drastically cut back the phone service relied on by 73 million retired and disabled Americans under pressure from Elon Musk's team in the U.S. DOGE Service. The agency's leadership is considering a proposal to end telephone service for processing claims and direct-deposit bank transactions and instead direct elderly and disabled people to go online or …

Does Elon Musk plan to eliminate social security measures in US? Here’s what the billionaire says
Trending News
1 week, 5 days ago

Does Elon Musk plan to eliminate social security measures in US? Here’s what the billionaire says

Live Mint  

Elon Musk dismissed social security theories and called them fraud, highlighting that federal programs will be one of the major targets for reducing government spending, reported AP on Monday. Musk's statement on social security programs may spark a debate among American politicians, both Democrats and Republicans, amid his efforts to downsize the federal government. Musk's statement on Social Security programs …

Elon Musk Calls Federal Spending On Social Security, Benefit Programs 'The Big One' To Cut
Top News
1 week, 5 days ago

Elon Musk Calls Federal Spending On Social Security, Benefit Programs 'The Big One' To Cut

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — Elon Musk pushed debunked theories about Social Security on Monday while describing federal benefit programs as rife with fraud, suggesting they will be a primary target in his crusade to reduce government spending. “That’s the big one to eliminate.” The comments on the popular program and other benefits provided to Americans could rattle politicians on …

Musk eyes Social Security and benefit programs for cuts while claiming widespread fraud
Top News
1 week, 5 days ago

Musk eyes Social Security and benefit programs for cuts while claiming widespread fraud

Associated Press  

▶ Follow live updates on President Donald Trump and his new administration WASHINGTON — Elon Musk pushed debunked theories about Social Security on Monday while describing federal benefit programs as rife with fraud, suggesting they will be a primary target in his crusade to reduce government spending. Musk also said there were “20 million people who are definitely dead marked …

Elon Musk's 'hostile takeover' of Social Security Administration detailed by insider
1 week, 5 days ago

Elon Musk's 'hostile takeover' of Social Security Administration detailed by insider

Raw Story  

A former insider at the Social Security Administration has gone on the record to describe a "hostile takeover" by Elon Musk and his minions at the Department of Government Efficiency. As reported by the Washington Post, former SSA acting chief of staff Tiffany Flick is claiming as part of a lawsuit that Musk and his henchmen barged into the SSA …

Elon Musk’s DOGE faces legal challenge from labor unions over Social Security data access
2 weeks ago

Elon Musk’s DOGE faces legal challenge from labor unions over Social Security data access

Live Mint  

A group of labor unions are asking a federal court for an emergency order to stop Elon Musk 's Department of Government Efficiency from accessing the sensitive Social Security data of millions of Americans. The motion for emergency relief was filed late Friday in federal court in Maryland by the legal services group Democracy Forward against the Social Security Administration …

'So naive, so stupid': Former lawmaker raises alarm over Musk's Social Security plans
2 weeks, 3 days ago

'So naive, so stupid': Former lawmaker raises alarm over Musk's Social Security plans

Raw Story  

Plans by the Donald Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency, helmed by billionaire Elon Musk, to dismantle the Social Security Administration, were trashed by a former Democratic senator on Wednesday morning. During an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," ex-Sen. Claire McCaskill said the staffers working DOGE, with an assist from the Office of Personnel Management, hope to slash …

Social Security headed for 'collapse' as Trump admin 'hell-bent on breaking it': Expert
2 weeks, 4 days ago

Social Security headed for 'collapse' as Trump admin 'hell-bent on breaking it': Expert

Raw Story  

The Trump administration is on course to undermine Social Security, one of the most vital public programs the federal government administers, warned former Social Security Administration director Martin O'Malley to The Bulwark's Joe Perticone. President Donald Trump repeatedly promised he would not touch Social Security benefits on the campaign trail. However, Republicans in Congress have floated changes to the program, …

'Going to be a problem': Musk comments to Rogan cast cloud over Trump administration
2 weeks, 4 days ago

'Going to be a problem': Musk comments to Rogan cast cloud over Trump administration

Raw Story  

A CNN panel tackled Elon Musk, the world's richest man, signaling on a broadly popular podcast that Donald Trump's administration might disrupt Social Security payments. The president's billionaire benefactor and top adviser appeared Friday on Joe Rogan's podcast, where he called the New Deal-era social safety net a "Ponzi scheme," arguing that birth rates have fallen and life expectancy has …

Elon Musk Calls Social Security 'The Biggest Ponzi Scheme Of All Time'
3 weeks ago

Elon Musk Calls Social Security 'The Biggest Ponzi Scheme Of All Time'

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Elon Musk is calling Social Security a “Ponzi scheme,” prompting suspicion that the world’s richest man is merely hoping to privatize a social safety net that has existed since the 1930s — and has kept millions of elderly, poor and disabled Americans from destitution. The billionaire argued Friday on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast that the United …

'Chaos and fear' as Trump and Musk make major moves on Social Security: report
3 weeks, 1 day ago

'Chaos and fear' as Trump and Musk make major moves on Social Security: report

Raw Story  

A new report from Rolling Stone claims that Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency is taking a wrecking ball to the Social Security Administration, which could seriously hurt beneficiaries' ability to collect the money they are owed. According to the report, DOGE has already "shuttered at least 10 Social Security field offices in as many states" and "has eliminated the …

The Social Security Administration says it plans to cut some 7,000 jobs
3 weeks, 2 days ago

The Social Security Administration says it plans to cut some 7,000 jobs

NPR  

The Social Security Administration says it plans to cut some 7,000 jobs toggle caption Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images The Social Security Administration announced Friday that it aims to cut some 7,000 jobs to align with an executive order from President Trump to broadly slash the federal workforce. Sponsor Message Trump has said that Social Security "won't be touched" as he continues …

Letters to the Editor: Elon Musk is any private business’ nightmare of a CEO
3 weeks, 5 days ago

Letters to the Editor: Elon Musk is any private business’ nightmare of a CEO

LA Times  

To the editor: If the chief executive of any private company were to conduct a “downsizing” as chaotically and cruelly as Elon Musk has as head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, he would be fired. Consider Musk’s record: Indiscriminate mass firings of employees without regard to qualifications or performance; absurd demands that Pentagon supervisors produce lists within days …

Federal workers sue over Musk’s threat to fire them if they don’t explain their accomplishments
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Federal workers sue over Musk’s threat to fire them if they don’t explain their accomplishments

LA Times  

Elon Musk holds a chainsaw he received from Argentina’s President Javier Milei, right, as they arrive to speak last week at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland. It called the threat of mass firings “one of the most massive employment frauds in the history of this country.” Musk, who is leading the Republican president’s efforts to overhaul and downsize …

Donald Trump vows no cuts to Social Security benefits, Medicaid amid Elon Musk-led fraud probe
1 month ago

Donald Trump vows no cuts to Social Security benefits, Medicaid amid Elon Musk-led fraud probe

Live Mint  

US President Donald Trump has reiterated that Social Security benefits will not be cut, despite growing concerns over Elon Musk’s review of the program for potential fraud. Musk’s fraud allegations spark concern Democrats have raised alarms that Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency may push for Social Security cuts under the guise of eliminating fraud. Musk’s controversial claims on Social Security …

'Entirely the point': Analyst slams Musk for exploiting his ignorance to trick Americans
1 month ago

'Entirely the point': Analyst slams Musk for exploiting his ignorance to trick Americans

Raw Story  

Elon Musk's unorthodox Oval Office appearance during which he claimed widespread fraud was overwhelming the Social Security system proved just how little he understands about government — and how little he cares about getting things right, argued Philip Bump in a new opinion piece for The Washington Post. While standing next to a seated President Donald Trump last week as …

Former Social Security commissioner flames Musk’s 19-year-old DOGE ‘nitwits’
1 month ago

Former Social Security commissioner flames Musk’s 19-year-old DOGE ‘nitwits’

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The former commissioner of the Social Security Administration on Tuesday …

Elon Musk’s Risky Attack On Social Security
1 month ago

Elon Musk’s Risky Attack On Social Security

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON — Social Security is the electrified third rail of American politics, and now Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, and his band of 20-something acolytes are reaching for it. The Social Security Administration’s acting director resigned Sunday in the face of apparent demands for access to sensitive SSA information from Musk’s minions, according to the Washington …

'Cadavers running around with Social Security checks?' Ex-gov wheezes over Musk remarks
1 month ago

'Cadavers running around with Social Security checks?' Ex-gov wheezes over Musk remarks

Raw Story  

Elon Musk’s recent suggestion that millions of deceased individuals continue to collect Social Security benefits sent former Gov. The on-air moment came during an interview on CNN as O’Malley made light of Musk’s social media remarks where he criticized the Social Security Administration, which he implied is rife with fraud and a source of millions of dollars in government waste. …

Elon Musk-led DOGE vs US Social Security Administration—Why this top official quit
1 month ago

Elon Musk-led DOGE vs US Social Security Administration—Why this top official quit

Live Mint  

The acting commissioner of the US Social Security Administration, Michelle King, has left her position after a reported conflict with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. The Associated Press reported citing two people with knowledge of the official’s departure, that King opposed DOGE’s efforts to access sensitive SSA records. DOGE’s push for SSA records DOGE, which has been embedded in …

White House installs new Social Security chief as Musk takes aim
1 month ago

White House installs new Social Security chief as Musk takes aim

Raw Story  

The Trump administration has put an "anti-fraud expert" temporarily in charge at the Social Security Administration, long a politically untouchable source of government spending, the White House confirmed Tuesday after the previous chief resigned in an apparent clash with Elon Musk's cost-cutting team. The reported departure of acting commissioner Michelle King was the latest abrupt resignation of a senior official …

Social Security acting commissioner exits agency after clash with Elon Musk
1 month ago

Social Security acting commissioner exits agency after clash with Elon Musk

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Acting head of the Social Security Administration has been replaced …

Michelle King, head of Social Security, steps down over Musk’s DOGE-related access of recipient information: Report
Trending News
1 month ago

Michelle King, head of Social Security, steps down over Musk’s DOGE-related access of recipient information: Report

The Hindu  

The Social Security Administration's Acting Commissioner has stepped down from her role at the agency over Department of Government Efficiency requests to access Social Security recipient information, according to two people familiar with the official's departure who were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly. White House spokesperson Harrison Fields released a statement Monday night saying, “President Trump has nominated …

Elon Musk's DOGE fires FDA officials regulating his brain implant company: report
1 month ago

Elon Musk's DOGE fires FDA officials regulating his brain implant company: report

Raw Story  

Some of the latest employees on the chopping block at tech billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency task force are Food and Drug Administration staff who oversee regulation of one of Musk's companies, Reuters reported Monday evening. Layoffs at the FDA, according to Rachael Levy and Marisa Taylor, include "about 20 people in the FDA’s office of neurological and …

Social Security acting head abruptly exits after dust-up with Elon Musk's DOGE: report
Trending News
1 month ago

Social Security acting head abruptly exits after dust-up with Elon Musk's DOGE: report

Raw Story  

The acting head of the Social Security Administration abruptly left the agency following a clash with Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency, according to a report. Michelle King, the agency's acting commissioner left her position over the weekend following a dust-up over Musk's DOGE trying to access sensitive government records, three people familiar with her exit told The Washington …

Elon Musk defends cost-cutting efforts in Oval Office appearance
1 month, 1 week ago

Elon Musk defends cost-cutting efforts in Oval Office appearance

Live Mint  

WASHINGTON—Elon Musk defended his cost-cutting plans as a common-sense campaign to reel in out-of-control government spending, amid opposition from Democrats and legal challenges that have stalled some of his efforts. Musk, wearing a black “Make America Great Again" hat, described federal workers as an “unelected, fourth, unconstitutional branch of government" that he said has “more power than any elected representative." …

'Element of chaos': Expert thinks Elon Musk could backfire — for Project 2025
1 month, 1 week ago

'Element of chaos': Expert thinks Elon Musk could backfire — for Project 2025

Raw Story  

Jacob T. Levy, a Tomlinson Professor of Political Theory at McGill University, made the case on Monday that X owner Elon Musk's rapid-fire efforts to unlawfully decapitate entire government agencies could actually be harmful to the broader goals of Project 2025, the radical right-wing blueprint for having the executive branch of the United States government seize unprecedented power. Writing on …

Letters to the Editor: Elon Musk’s illegal takeover of the U.S. government needs to stop now
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Letters to the Editor: Elon Musk’s illegal takeover of the U.S. government needs to stop now

LA Times  

To the editor: First, President Trump illegally froze the distribution of funding allocated by Congress. Next, Elon Musk’s unelected “DOGE” minions entered the Office of Personnel Management and gained access to private information about millions of federal employees. They now have the power to stop funding, have access to information about Musk’s competitors, and — worst of all — they …

Elon Musk Is Running the Twitter Playbook on the Federal Government
55 years, 2 months ago

Elon Musk Is Running the Twitter Playbook on the Federal Government

Wired  

Elon Musk is only one week into his role in President Donald Trump’s new administration, but the US federal government is already rolling out the Twitter playbook to manage its spending and personnel. On Tuesday, federal employees received an email that mirrors the “Fork in the Road” missive sent to Twitter staff shortly after Musk bought the company in 2022. …

'Nothing is sacrosanct': GOP floats Social Security cuts after Musk Capitol Hill visit
3 months, 2 weeks ago

'Nothing is sacrosanct': GOP floats Social Security cuts after Musk Capitol Hill visit

Raw Story  

Republican lawmakers on Thursday signaled a willingness to target Social Security and other mandatory programs after meeting with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the billionaire pair President-elect Donald Trump chose to lead a new commission tasked with slashing federal spending and regulations. After airing Norman's remarks, Fox Business reported that Musk and Ramaswamy told lawmakers that no federal program is …

'Disaster': Senior Republican aide predicts what will get Elon Musk 'bounced by Trump'
3 months, 2 weeks ago

'Disaster': Senior Republican aide predicts what will get Elon Musk 'bounced by Trump'

Raw Story  

X CEO Elon Musk is scheduled to meet with congressional Republicans to pitch his drastic budget-cutting plans, and it's already causing concern for some on Capitol Hill. An unnamed Republican Senate aide who spoke with Punchbowl News' Jake Sherman on Thursday predicted that Musk and fellow Department of Government Efficiency leader Vivek Ramaswamy would create massive political headaches for Republicans …

Watchdogs say world's richest man Elon Musk has 'declared war on Social Security'
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Watchdogs say world's richest man Elon Musk has 'declared war on Social Security'

Raw Story  

A lengthy series of X posts attacking Social Security as a "nightmare" caught the attention of the platform's mega-billionaire owner, Elon Musk, who could soon take aim at the beloved New Deal program as co-chair of an advisory commission tasked with identifying federal spending to slash. Max Richtman, president and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and …

'Disgusting': Ex-GOP rep shreds Elon Musk's 'dangerous' attack on civil service
3 months, 3 weeks ago

'Disgusting': Ex-GOP rep shreds Elon Musk's 'dangerous' attack on civil service

Raw Story  

Former Rep. Joe Walsh slammed tech billionaire and Donald Trump ally Elon Musk for publicly naming examples of government employees he will target for elimination. "Shame on anyone who doesn’t have a problem with the wealthiest man on the planet publicly sharing the individual names of government employees he wants fired," wrote Walsh, who went from being a Tea Party …

Musk unleashes online army on federal workers. ‘A tough way to find out she’s losing her job.’
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Musk unleashes online army on federal workers. ‘A tough way to find out she’s losing her job.’

Live Mint  

As co-director of President-elect Donald Trump’s nascent Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk has wasted no time posting to his 205 million followers about specific government departments he views as bloated. One recent post by the billionaire zeroed in on Ashley Thomas, a little-known director of climate diversification at the U.S. International Development Finance Corp., after another user on Musk’s …

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