Elected Democrats and many in the corporate media are attempting to sow chaos and confusion over the Trump administration’s long-overdue improvements at the Social Security Administration (SSA). But the facts make clear that these changes will make the agency more responsive to beneficiaries while also eliminating mountains of fraud in the program.
The manufactured Social Security panic began before President Trump even won last November’s election, with the liberal establishment claiming that he wanted to “cut Social Security” and kick seniors off their benefits. In reality, Trump has repeatedly promised to “not touch” Social Security.
But the lies and misdirection have only grown more egregious since Trump took office, with every upgrade to how the program is run and every revelation of fraud treated as tantamount to ripping grandma’s check out of her hands.
The New York Times, for instance, recently alleged that there were “rushed changes and anxiety at Social Security.” Business Insider went with the headline “Baby Boomers prepare for the worst as Social Security faces service cuts,” while Newsweek was even more dramatic, claiming Social Security is in a “death spiral,” and Axios told its readers that “Social Security’s Core Mission Is at Stake.”
The truth is quite different from this doom-and-gloom world the media lives in. Not only is the Trump administration protecting seniors’ benefits by eliminating fraud, it has taken significant steps to modernize SSA’s operations to better serve beneficiaries.
For instance, far from some false media reports that the SSA is closing down field offices, the agency is actually shifting more of its personnel to answering phones and taking in-person claims, along with instituting surge capacity to deal with increased demand. Thanks to President Trump’s executive action requiring federal employees to return in-person to the office five days a week, beneficiaries can now count on being able to speak face-to-face with SSA employees.
Contrary to claims that SSA is reducing phone services, the agency will also continue processing all claim types via telephone. Last month alone, SSA spent $16.5 million to modernize its phone services nationwide.
At the same time, thanks to new anti-fraud software, Americans who rely on Social Security can be more confident than ever that their benefits will be delivered on time to the correct person. This updated software enables SSA to flag abnormal behavior on a person’s account, requiring identity proofing for flagged individuals. Just like Voter ID is a critical measure to safeguard American elections, identity proofing will help root out fraud in Social Security.
President Trump’s proposal to eliminate taxes on Social Security income is further proof of how absurd it is to claim that his administration wants to “cut” Social Security or otherwise jeopardize benefits. Excluding cost-of-living increases, eliminating this tax would effectively be the largest boost to seniors’ checks in the history of the program.
What President Trump does want to eliminate is waste, fraud, and abuse in Social Security, which both Republicans and Democrats have done nothing about – even as they have publicly acknowledged the problem and talked about doing something for decades. Despite the fact that Social Security is barreling toward insolvency as soon as 2033 (or sooner if Democrats get their way and add millions of illegal aliens to the program), successive presidential administrations have allowed billions of dollars in fraud and improper payments to go out the door every year.
For instance, an SSA Inspector General report released last August, when Joe Biden was still in office, found $72 billion in improper payments from fiscal years 2015 through 2022. That report further noted that previous audits resulted in “dozens of recommendations for the Agency to prevent improper payments before they occur as well as to detect and correct existing improper payments,” but that “to date, many of those recommendations remain unimplemented.”
Elon Musk and his DOGE team have also identified enormous levels of other potential fraud that pose an immediate threat not only to Americans’ pocketbooks but also to democracy itself. Speaking at an event in Wisconsin earlier this month, Musk and venture capitalist Antonio Gracias shared a chart showing a dramatic spike in the number of new Social Security numbers issued during the Biden administration.
“In 2021, you see 200,000 people [gaining Social Security numbers],” Musk said. “It goes all the way to 2.1 million in 2024. These are non-citizens that are getting Social Security numbers.”
“This literally blew us away,” Gracias added. “If I hadn’t seen this myself, I’m not sure I would have believed it. I went through it myself and mapped it. And Elon is right. This is true… We found some by sampling that actually did vote.”
This is the real threat to Social Security – millions of people who shouldn’t be on the program being added to advance a liberal political agenda while fraudsters rip off taxpayers and Democrats try to cover it all up. But in our bizarro world where the media are professional cheerleaders for the left, we are told that the Trump administration’s efforts to save Social Security from complete destruction are the problem.
The real loser of the left’s misinformation warfare, as is so often the case, is the American people – and American seniors in particular, as Democrats look to stoke fears of benefit cuts for their own political gain.
Shane Harris is the Editor-in-Chief of AMAC Newsline. You can follow him on X @shaneharris513.
Democrats have been using this trick for the last 50 years when they’re losing everything else they say oh no Republicans are going to steal your Social Security in your Medicare they’re going to push granny over the cliffs in her wheelchair. This lying of BS is so old I can’t believe they’re using it again but even more I can’t believe anybody believes it why is anybody buying this it’s just part of the Democrat bag of tricks when they run out of everything else
Thank goodness for Pres. Trump and DOGE for identifying the problems with Social Security and addressing the necessary corrections finally. As addressed, despite all political rhetoric, the Republicans dragged their feet, and the Democrats abused the system with fraud, waste and abuse. Now, hopefully the corrections will be forthcoming, but the people can expect the continued delaying action by those who wish to continue the waste and fraud. Will Congress ever wake up and do its job properly? Doubtful, so don’t hold your breath.
The government has been promising to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse from the government, including military since I served from 1967 to 1987 in the USAF. But promises never kept until Trump became POTUS. Trump may not be able to keep all his promises that he made due to the bigger mess in government that Biden and the Socialists created than he did the first time. BUT – it will not be due to his lack of trying! Trump loves this country and its people, and will do his best for us. Our job is to be patient with him, give him time and encourage him because he has a much tougher job on his hands than hi first term. He places his country above his own life and he will always do his best for us. He’s the only POTUS I’ve ever really trusted in my 75 yrs on this earth. Support him and pray for him, his family, and his administration.
The common leftist whack job out there cannot handle the truth, every time you present facts and the truth to them they either get mad or they walk away and don’t want to talk about it. It is really mind-boggling how stupid they really are.
I am s Senior and the Democrats will continue there assault of President Trump.
DON’T BUY INTO THE DEMOCRATIC LIES!
MAGA!!!!
DIMMs are ALWAYS lying! Why would ANYONE believe anything they say? DOGE has already reported that some agency computers cannot interface with each other. Then there is redundancy and fraud which is rampant in the bureaucracy. Every dollar rescued from corruption and inefficiency can be returned to taxpayers or be used to pay down the debt!
Congress needs to get off their duffs and pass a law that eliminates taxes on Social Security, while they still hold the majority.
Last year when I filed an appeal with social security, I was told the appeal process takes three years!
I certainly hope they can do something about that.
Democrats have relied on fear mongering to sway voters going back decades and decades. All that ever changes is what they are fear mongering on at any given time. Today its SS and tariffs, along with trying to justify that deporting violent illegal aliens is somehow a “threat to democracy” or the foretelling of the end of everything. Pure BS being shoveled as fast and furious as their speechwriters can draft the new talking daily points and distribute them on Capitol Hill and to the MSM propaganda machine.
For the half the country that can actually think and reason properly, they see right through this garbage. For the other half of the country that can do neither, they of course lap it all up and cheer or boo on command. So, the reality of the issues is lost to them, and they only parrot the talking points they hear or read without question at the staged protests paid for by the major financial donors bankrolling the Democrat Party.
It is what is folks, after allowing the subversive Marxist element in this country free reign to indoctrinate large percentages of the public for decades in this country.
It’s time our tax dollars from social security were returned to us, stop taking tax dollars from us “for us” and let us take care of our selves! I know I would have invested much more wisely over the years and I don’t need the government “saving” my money for me! It would sure as heck be worth a lot more than it is… what’s left of it!
I am VERY mad over the scaring of seniors!!! The Dems are doing this on purpose, their lying gets more and more blatant every day! I am still a member of AARP, I like their magazines. Yes, they are supposedly non-partisan, but we all know they are liberals. I joined AMAC several years ago. I called AARP national office a few days ago, wanted to speak to someone about :policy.” Got sent an email with bad link to an article. So, I called the state OR office of AARP. Asked to speak to a policy person. Given an 800 number that just wanted to sell me Medicare stuff, I finally hung up after losing track of opting out of sales calls. Yesterday in the mail I got a SURVEY form the “new” AARP President. I gave them zeros and ones in the checkboxes, and commented that I intended to cancel in 2027 when current membership runs out. Will miss the magazine. Likely a lost cause trying to get a complaint heard at higher level, but won’t stop me from contacting someone I know that works pretty high up at AARP, so SHE can forward my contact info to someone, who perhaps, cares. I’m retired, I have time. Right after I call the DC offices of the 4 Dems that voted “yes” for SAVE act on voting.
The Dems are actually socialist left wing trouble makers or to put it bluntly COMMUNISTS.They want a Soviet /China mixture of a gov’t. where the powerful live extremely well while the people they lie and dictate TO must just suck up their dog excrement and take it.Trump sees through this and is trying to make us the USA of old. Look I say just look at ALL the so many sick FREAKS ON THE LEFT.
DOGE is cutting Waste & Fraud in SSA
I have to tell you though, I totally believe in what they are doing at SS. That said, I have been on hold the last two days, to correct a DD issue, I could not do online because of my screw up, for 8 plus hours. I am sure there is probably a huge influx of calls to beat the April 14th deadline to change your DD over the phone, but that was truly astonishing to me. I did the call back yesterday and it “only” took about five hours of waiting to receive the call. I am surely hoping what you wrote will happen sooner rather than later.
Of course the democrats scream Trump is taking SS, Medicare and Medicaid away. Everything they do they blame Trump. Biden is the one that gutted SS by putting million illegals on the rolls and paying benefits to millions of people over 120 years old. And now the lie is being exposed by Elon and his team, they push the lie even harder. And the seniors in the dem party believe this crap. Biden tried hard to bankrupt this country and SS was one of the avenues to that goal. Can Trump save this country? The democrats will sacrifice America and its people. Their action and lies and destruction in every dept of the government is proof of that. The dems cannot be trusted their lies over the past 4 years are proof of that. Who was running the country, certainly not Biden nor Harris. Dunn, Ricchetti Donilon and Clyburn were running the country. Under Obama and under Biden. They were the ones pulling the strings on the puppet called Biden.
I’d call the demorats a bunch of snakes, but that would be a put down and insult to the snakes. Is there actually anything lower in life than a demorat,socialist,communist. These scumbags lead by joe, nancy, aoc, chuck and others would make a maggot seem like a desirable thing!!!
I’m thrilled President Trump is back in Office and on the job! Look at all he and his Administration has accomplished since January 2025! Imagine, President Trump is just getting started! And, I can’t express my gratitude enough for Mr. Musk and DOGE on their findings thus far re: fraud and abuse at the highest levels! Thank you, for everything thys far!
Being a Legalized American Senior Citizen Social Security is extremely important to/for me personally. You hear all this News everywhere about Social Security is going away, leaving millions of us destitute. It can be a tad unnerving as to whom and what to believe. So-ooo few exercise a willingness of Truth. Staggers the imagination. Times have changed dramatically since the 1950s. I feel a quiet sense though trusting President Trump to put/keep Social Security on track for those of us who are vulnerable. And, I find it welcoming Mr. Musk is present as an Advisor to see to it us Senior Citizens are not forgotten.
I appreciate this article. We need to keep Social Security well clear of the influence of the Democrat Party, which, simply, has been been buying its’ votes with our Social Security dollars. Some of that is MY MONEY, that I have paid through my working life. Now that I am a senior, what I am eligible to receive from Social Security is, in no way, worth the time-value of that money. Given the time and amounts I’ve been contributing, I should be eligible to receive way more.
So glad the “democrats” got wiped in the recent elections. Their moral bereftness screams that they can’t lead.
Once again, we’re up against the worst enemy America has ever seen: the mainstream media (propagandia). The truth is slapping us upside the head, yet the demonic rats are cranking up the lies full volume. One thing that’s become clear (actually it already was) is that the demonicrat party has no interest in the well-being of the American citizens.
Well said truth!! Great article! Spread this news to counter the lies!!
You said Illegal Aliens. That is incorrect. The correct term is: Predocumented Future Democrats. Lets be politically correct now.
President Trump along with Elon Musk is doing great job of saving Social Security and Unemployment benefits! Also the promises of savings!
When did Democrats or corporate media ever gave a dry fig about the electorate or anything that is not connected to their personal gain and survival, sad part is that just when you think they’ve reached the bottom they manage to sink lower and there are enough sleepwalkers to believe them.
As a senior receiving benefits, I’m happy to hear these positive outcomes. It’s hard to find good news about anything that Trump or DOGE does. Maybe we need a few DOGE people on the government payroll just to keep it honest.
I hope he can do something about the benefits. They are no where close to keeping up with inflation, no matter what the media says. The recent estimate for 2026 COLA was 2.2% Last year, 2025 it was 2.3% We are headed in a backwards direction. My total income, which is Social Security, is way below the minimum wage paid now. I cannot go out to eat – the waiter earns more than I do.
Elected Democrats and many in the corporate media are attempting to sow chaos and confusion over the Trump administration’s long-overdue improvements at the Social Security Administration (SSA). But the facts make clear that these changes will make the agency more responsive to beneficiaries while also eliminating mountains of fraud in the program.
If you still do not believe, the lying “democratic ruination nation” needs to be eliminated.
Democrats have been using SSA as their personal slush Funds and stealing money for years, so they are spreading lies to keep the truth from being exposed. So, if you have Democrat as part of your name, you need to be investigated for fraud and abuse
The mantra about “cutting social security”and tossing granny over the cliff is so worn out. And people still get suckered into believing the lies, falling to the fear mongering and getting all panicked in the heart. Certainly Soc. Sec. has problems, big ones. And it needs massive reform, massive transformation, massive attention that has been ignored for generations. Trump is trying to set the whole mess right. I can’t tell you how many times since my retirement that I have gotten all that junk mail shouting the day of doom on Soc. Sec. If no one does anything, it will dry up and die. And that does not have to happen, it is not inevitable….it’s possible, but not set in stone. Congress has known this for 50 years and the media loves to feed the fires as it helps these smucks get elected and re-elected. I hope Trump and his administration can pull Soc.Sec. out of the abyss and set it right. We know he won’t get much help, but maybe he can …..that’s what I look for.
The dems do not have a plan so all they can do is resort to spewing lies and hate.
Non-citizens with work authorization can legally obtain SSN’s. This helps the U.S. make sure they also pay taxes on the work they do. Additionally, other non-citizens can be issued “non-work” SSN’s. The fact that non-citizens have received SSN’s is not itself evidence of fraud or abuse of the system, nor is it an indication that they ultimately are entitled to or can claim social security benefits. You can find specific information on this under Noncitizen Eligibility for Employment Authorization and Work-Authorized Social Security Numbers (SSNs) at Congress.Gov. If you are going to engage in bumper-sticker hyperbole’ in claiming that the media is lying, you can’t do the same thing and retain credibility.
Yes, let’s eliminate fraud. But the math doesn’t work to save Social Security. The projected shortfall is $22.6 trillion over the next 75 years. Improper payments were $72 billion over the 8 years audited. Illegals actually pay more into Social Security than they take out (Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy). The the real threat to Social Security is demographics. There are too few workers paying in and too many collecting benefits. Congress refuses to do anything about it. Either raise taxes or cut benefits.
AMAC- here’s a question for you to bring to politicians: Assuming that Social Security income is not taxed for federal income taxes, will a person’s SS income also be excluded from the calculation to determine how much your monthly payments will be for Medicare Part B and Part D?
The members of this publication know that President Trump will NOT cut SS & Medicare. He and DOGE are working to get rid of the rampant fraud and waste so those programs will be around a long time. It is the people who rely on radical liberal media who believe it. I see ads often that are flat-out lying about these programs being cut. I would like to know why the media can get by with lying shamelessly in order to harm our leaders. No one seems to have an answer. I am old and I remember when it was a big deal to lie. Now any person can lie about anything and not get called out. It is ruining our country.
Will the American people be enlightened please.
Demoncrats and their lies.
I receive email updates from Social Security Everytime there is an update on what they are doing.
Go to your SS account and sign up.
Quit believing the lies.
The Dems don’t want efficiency or updating, this will severely cut their ability to raid Social Security not only by dipping via Congress, but the fraud and abuses they use in the “process” of administering with “known” drains of money that essentially end up in the Dem coffers to promote their own. DOGE is hated so much because it has identified these “dark money” schemes in many agencies and grant programs that are just another way they CHEAT the American Public. The Repubs aren’t innocent, but they don’t “milk” the system any where near as “professionally” as the Dems. Neither, want Social security to end as this would “dry up” the second “income tax” reserve they so readily raid; not to mention pissing off 60M seniors who vote. Put back the estimated 3-4T “utilized” elsewhere and the 41B annual Social Security “deficit” just reported (2023) would be offset for, get this, 85 plus years at that level. The System isn’t broken, it’s mismanaged and Trump and DOGE intend on fixing that. ADD the recoveries to come from fraud elimination, and updating and efficient policing and administration, Social Security SHOULD be stable for the next several generations.
Good article.
I never believe anything negatively that comes from the left.
DOGE and Musk are doing a great job of getting rid of fraud and abuse. People getting checks that died decades ago. Their relatives never reported they died. Unbelievable!
Democrats are enemies to America and the American people! They should be tried for treason, thief, murder! Deport the enemies of America ban them from returning seize their assets and put towards the deficit they caused and the money they stoled from the American people!
A breath of honesty in media; how refreshing.
I really enjoy hearing Dumbassocrats and their MSM phart-catchers squealing like pigs. Don’tchew?
Thank you for communicating the facts! Social Security’s imminent insolvency is the main reason I joined AMAC. I can’t stand how AARP always demands no changes to SS when change would actually benefit everyone. Pretty soon AARP is going to have to figure out how to message both for the Boomers and Gen X at the same time. Should be interesting LOL.
No matter what President Trump does or does not do the Democrats are going to try their best to belittle and put a negative spin on it. A good example is that countries around the world are ecstatic about what DOGE is accomplishing, and many want to do the same. Personally, I think it’s great. Maybe, probably, it will uncover fraud on some who are squawking..
As disgusting as this is, I have heard nothing regarding catching and punishing these thieves. I hope these dirty rats are caught and spend the maximum sentences allowed in jail. This may be the best deterrent we can implement to stop this theft!
So why did Dems, Reps, AMAC and AARP just set back and allowed our survivor benefits that have been on the books for decades to be taken away and replaced with garbage. That just sort of slipped by. At 76 taking away my benefits that I planned on without a fight wasn’t what I expected. Where Bernie when you need him? What else are you guys going to let just slip by…
I don’t like any of those press secretaries in the present or past administration. Their phoniness gets on my nerves.
I don’t hate either party or any candidate but this administration is not doing a good job with protecting Soc Sec. The truth is uncomfortable and I don’t want to believe media either but this article is not even factual. It doesn’t even realize that citizens and non citizens (if they are legal) pay into SS. This article is just another feel good article from the GOP which are a disaster on SS and always will be. They do some things right but not on SS.
So appreciate these updates
I’m tired of the local news and national news fear mongering. All their fear is “Could be,” “Might be,” and others like this. Amy Klobuchar was on local news (MN) and said the same thing Time said, and this article debunks. Interesting, all I did was go to the SS.gov
.source and it said “NO.” Just an FYI, no one has mentioned the Feed the Children crime and the information about the Attorney General of MN’s voicing support of them and not of police.It is not a media lie that the elimination of taxes on SS benefits will result in less money going into the SS Trust Fund. Quit with the FAKE NEWS stuff and answer this statement?
It is my understanding that the current taxes on SS benefits are put into the SS Trust Fund and then draw interest. That means that eliminating this tax on benefits will further shorten the life of the current SS Trust Fund which was somewhere around $1.8 Trillion surplus in 2024. Congress needs to raise the payroll taxes and the ceiling on wages to shore up this program so that it continues beyond 2034.