Biden Slams Trump Over Social Security Cuts \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Former President Joe Biden reemerged Tuesday to accuse President Donald Trump of dismantling Social Security. Speaking in Chicago, Biden criticized Trump’s handling of the agency and warned of long-term damage. His remarks coincided with a broader Democratic campaign to spotlight Social Security ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Quick Looks
- Event: Biden spoke at a national disability advocacy conference in Chicago.
- Main Claim: Trump has “taken a hatchet” to Social Security programs.
- Context: Biden’s first major speech since leaving office in January.
- Midterm Messaging: Democrats nationwide marked “Social Security Day of Action.”
- Ongoing Issues: SSA faces outages, layoffs, and growing beneficiary complaints.
- Trump’s Position: White House says reforms target fraud and misuse.
- New Memo: Trump plans expansion of SSA fraud prosecutions.
- Historical Ties: Musk, a top adviser, once called Social Security a Ponzi scheme.
- Biden’s Future Role: Unclear; aides say appearances will remain limited.
- Progressive Pushback: Some Democrats criticize Biden’s return to the spotlight.
Deep Look
Former President Joe Biden returned to the national spotlight Tuesday evening, unleashing sharp criticism against President Donald Trump and his handling of Social Security during a speech in Chicago. Addressing a room of disability advocates and former government officials, Biden accused Trump of gutting the federal agency that supports tens of millions of Americans.
“They’ve taken a hatchet to the Social Security Administration,” Biden said during his remarks at the national conference for Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled, his most high-profile appearance since leaving office in January.
A Targeted Speech on a Hot-Button Issue
Biden’s comments were anything but accidental. The speech coincided with what Democrats labeled a “Social Security Day of Action”, an effort to spotlight recent changes at the agency that they say threaten benefits for retirees, disabled individuals, and low-income Americans.
While Biden never referred to Trump by name—preferring the phrase “this guy”—his intent was unmistakable. “They’re shooting first and aiming later,” Biden warned. “They want to wreck it so they can rob it. Why? To give tax cuts to billionaires and big corporations.”
Trump Administration Under Fire for SSA Changes
The Social Security Administration (SSA) under Trump has become a source of controversy. Trump’s administration has already cut thousands of SSA jobs, announced plans to lay off an additional 7,000 workers, and proposed tighter identity verification measures that critics say would disproportionately impact the disabled and elderly.
In March, Trump’s chief of staff Karoline Leavitt issued a memo outlining an aggressive crackdown on Social Security fraud. On Tuesday, Leavitt confirmed that Trump would sign a memorandum to expand SSA fraud prosecution to 50 U.S. attorney offices and establish Medicare and Medicaid fraud initiatives in 15 more.
While Trump frames these measures as necessary reforms, many claim they risk destabilizing access for eligible Americans.
Data Access Concerns and Elon Musk’s Role
One of the most explosive revelations involved access to sensitive personal information. According to critics, the SSA has allowed the Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Trump adviser Elon Musk, to access Social Security numbers and other personal identifiers.
Musk—who has described Social Security as “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time”—has played an outsized role in Trump’s second-term policy shifts. That involvement has sparked lawsuits and intensified privacy concerns.
System Glitches and Beneficiary Confusion
Meanwhile, the SSA is grappling with rising technical failures and growing public frustration. Beneficiaries report long wait times on calls, and some users of the “My Social Security” portal have received messages stating they are “not receiving benefits” despite still being enrolled.
Although the agency attributed these issues to administrative errors, Democrats seized on them as evidence of deeper dysfunction.
Democrats Mobilize Around Social Security
Biden’s speech came at a pivotal time for Democrats, who are trying to reclaim momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms, when control of Congress will be at stake. With Trump in his final term and Republicans solidifying power, Democrats are spotlighting Social Security as a critical battleground issue.
Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries praised Biden’s appearance, calling it a “vital voice” in a high-stakes moment. “This is an all-hands-on-deck moment,” he told reporters.
Biden shared the stage with a bipartisan group of former officials, including ex-Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and former Social Security Administrator Martin O’Malley, who said Trump had “gutted the Social Security Administration with a chainsaw.”
Public Reaction and Party Division
Reactions to Biden’s reemergence were mixed. Some Democrats welcomed the former president’s return to the public stage, citing his unique ability to connect with older Americans and build fundraising momentum.
But others, especially among progressive activists, were less enthusiastic. “The best role that Biden could play going forward would be to stay off the public stage,” said Norman Solomon, a leading progressive voice. “His self-centered mentality has already done so much damage to the Democratic Party and the country.”
Biden’s approval ratings have remained low since his departure. A Gallup poll in January showed only 39% of Americans viewed him favorably, mirroring discontent from the latter half of his term.
Key Takeaways:
- Joe Biden accused Trump of dismantling Social Security in a major speech Tuesday.
- The appearance marks Biden’s return to national politics, though his role remains unclear.
- Trump’s reforms to the SSA include workforce reductions, fraud crackdowns, and controversial data access moves.
- Democrats are using Social Security as a central issue heading into the 2026 midterms.
- Internal Democratic divisions remain over Biden’s public presence and political future.
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