- Elon Musk Eyes Social Security and Medicare As Key Targets for Cuts, Musk advises President Donald Trump on eliminating inefficiencies.
-
Remarks on aid may unsettle lawmakers from both parties.
-
Musk’s fraud projection surpasses estimates from oversight bodies.
On Monday, Elon Musk made some remarks regarding Social Security, indicating that federal aid programs are susceptible to fraudulent activities and need addressing to reduce government expenses.
During an interview with the Fox Business Network, Musk, who is currently advising President Donald Trump, proposed eliminating inefficiencies that could amount to a significant sum of $500 billion to $700 billion. He emphasized that the majority of federal spending is allocated to entitlements and called for a concentrated effort in that area.
Musk’s statements regarding Social Security and other assistance programs might unsettle lawmakers from various political affiliations as he strives to reorganize the federal government, amidst facing backlash for implementing drastic job cuts and program reductions.
Musk’s claims about fraud in entitlement programs are much higher than the estimates from oversight organizations. For instance, Social Security’s inspector general previously documented $71 billion in improper payments between 2015 and 2022, which is actually less than 1% of the total benefits paid out during that time.
He also stated that there are “20 million people who are definitely deceased yet still listed as alive in the Social Security system.”
However, the head of the agency has pushed back against these claims of widespread payments to the deceased. “These individuals aren’t necessarily collecting benefits,” noted Lee Dudek, the acting commissioner of Social Security.
Also Read: Kate Middleton’s Emotional Tribute Celebrates a Teenager’s Strength and Creativity
Last Updated on March 11, 2025 by 247 News Around The World
