Musk eyes Social Security and benefit programs for cuts while claiming
widespread fraud
[March 11, 2025]
By CHRIS MEGERIAN
WASHINGTON (AP) — 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.
The billionaire entrepreneur, who is advising President Donald Trump,
suggested that $500 billion to $700 billion in waste needed to be cut.
“Most of the federal spending is entitlements,” Musk told the Fox
Business Network. “That’s the big one to eliminate.”
The comments on the popular program and other benefits provided to
Americans could rattle politicians on both sides of the aisle as Musk
works to downsize the federal government, especially as he already faces
blowback for his chainsaw-wielding approach to laying off workers and
slashing programs.
Musk's estimate for the level of fraud in entitlements far outpaces
figures from watchdogs like Social Security's inspector general, who
previously said there was $71.8 billion in improper payments from fiscal
years 2015 through 2022. That's less than 1% of benefits paid out during
that time period.
Musk also said there were “20 million people who are definitely dead
marked as alive in the Social Security database.” However, the leader of
the agency has rejected claims about widespread payments to dead people.
"These individuals are not necessarily receiving benefits," said Lee
Dudek, Social Security’s acting commissioner.
The interview with Fox Business was a reminder of Musk's deep skepticism
and even hostility toward the program, which provides monthly benefits
to retirees and some children. Trump has promised to defend Social
Security from cuts, but Musk has described it as “the biggest Ponzi
scheme of all time,” and the administration is shutting down some of the
agency’s offices.
Musk said Monday that federal entitlements are “a mechanism by which the
Democrats attract and retain illegal immigrants by essentially paying
them to come here and then turning them into voters.” The allegation
echoed the “great replacement” theory, which claims that politicians are
trying to expand their power by reshaping the country's racial
demographics.
The interview was conducted in the White House complex by Larry Kudlow,
who served as an economic adviser to Trump during his first term. During
the conversation, Musk seemed to acknowledge the unusual nature of his
role in the administration.
“Frankly, I can’t believe I’m here doing this," Musk said. "It's kind of
bizarre.”
Musk is the world’s richest person and still runs his private
enterprises as he advises the president on ways to overhaul the federal
government.
He also thanked Trump for his confidence, saying, "Without the
president’s support, we couldn’t make any progress here.”
[to top of second column]
|
Elon Musk flashes his t-shirt that reads "DOGE" to the media as he
walks on South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, Sunday, March
9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Trump has publicly backed Musk and given him extraordinary influence
over the federal government. However, the Republican president has
indicated a shift in approach, saying that Musk's team would use a
“scalpel” rather than a “hatchet.”
Musk has not often spoken publicly since joining the administration,
preferring instead to present a stream of consciousness on X, his
social media platform. On Monday, he accused Democrats of attacking
Tesla dealerships; bragged about X being “the top source for news on
Earth;” and accused Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, a former
fighter pilot and astronaut, of being a traitor for visiting Ukraine
over the weekend.
Musk's sitdown with Kudlow was his third interview since joining
Trump's administration, and he hasn't strayed from his ideological
safe space. He previously did a joint interview with the president
and Sean Hannity of Fox News, and he sat down with Joe Rogan, a
podcaster who endorsed Trump last year.
Republicans have spent decades trying to reduce the size and scope
of the federal government, and many have cheered Musk's work.
“The American people are sick of the swamp. They’re sick of waste,
fraud and abuse," said Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, who
leads the National Republican Congressional Committee. "For the
first time ever, we finally have the tools to affect it. So I think
the voters are going to reward us.”
But there are signs of backlash and skepticism. Some Republicans
have even boasted of blocking budget cuts.
Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole issued a statement saying three federal
offices in his state — the National Weather Center in Norman, the
Social Security Administration Office in Lawton and the Indian
Health Services Office in Oklahoma City — would stay open.
“I am thrilled to announce that common sense has prevailed,” he
said. Cole added that “all three of these places provide vital and
valuable services to Oklahomans and I am so proud to have advocated
for them.”
About half of Americans said it’s “a bad thing” that Trump has given
Musk a prominent role in his administration, according to a
mid-February CNN/SSRS poll. Only a third saw it as “a good thing.”
Another mid-February survey by The Washington Post and Ipsos found
that Americans were divided on whether Musk is mainly cutting
wasteful spending or necessary programs, with about a third falling
into each camp. Another quarter said they weren’t sure.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
