Elon Musk Pushes Social Security Cuts in Fox Interview \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Elon Musk promoted debunked claims about Social Security while advocating for massive spending cuts during a Fox Business interview. Advising President Trump, Musk estimated up to $700 billion in entitlement fraud, far exceeding official reports. His comments have sparked bipartisan concerns as Trump’s administration moves to reduce federal programs.
Musk’s Social Security Claims: Quick Looks
- Musk Pushes Cuts: Calls federal entitlements the biggest target for spending reductions.
- Fraud Allegations: Claims up to $700 billion in waste, contradicting official reports.
- Social Security Attack: Musk has previously labeled the program a “Ponzi scheme.”
- Dead Voter Conspiracy: Suggests 20 million dead people remain in the Social Security database.
- White House Influence: Advises Trump on federal budget cuts, despite lacking government experience.
- Trump’s Approach: Signals shift from “hatchet” to “scalpel” on spending reductions.
- Republican Reactions: Some cheer Musk’s efforts, while others resist deep program cuts.
- Public Opinion: Polls show Americans are divided on Musk’s role in government.
Deep Look
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, now a key adviser to President Donald Trump, has set his sights on Social Security and entitlement programs, arguing that they are rife with fraud and should be significantly reduced as part of a broader push to shrink the federal government.
During an interview on Fox Business Network on Monday, Musk claimed that between $500 billion and $700 billion in wasteful spending could be eliminated. His remarks, which included debunked conspiracy theories, immediately sparked controversy.
“Most of the federal spending is entitlements. That’s the big one to eliminate,” Musk told Fox’s Larry Kudlow, a former Trump economic adviser.
Musk’s False Claims on Social Security Fraud
Musk’s assertions about massive fraud in Social Security contradict official reports. According to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Inspector General, improper payments between 2015 and 2022 totaled $71.8 billion—less than 1% of all benefits paid out.
Yet Musk wildly inflated these figures, claiming that 20 million deceased individuals remain active in the system and could be fraudulently receiving benefits. However, SSA Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek has refuted this claim:
“These individuals are not necessarily receiving benefits.”
Despite this, Musk continued to frame Social Security as a financial burden, echoing his previous claim that it is “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.”
Musk’s Influence Over Trump’s Budget Plans
Musk’s comments align with his broader push to slash federal spending, an effort that has already led to:
- Mass layoffs in various government agencies.
- Office closures, including some Social Security locations.
- A growing political divide, as some Republicans push back against excessive cuts.
Trump, who has repeatedly promised not to cut Social Security, now faces a political balancing act as Musk’s agenda clashes with traditional Republican commitments to preserving senior benefits.
“Without the president’s support, we couldn’t make any progress here,” Musk said, thanking Trump for backing his proposals.
Still, the White House has signaled a shift in approach, with Trump stating that Musk’s team would now use a “scalpel rather than a hatchet” when reducing government programs.
Conspiracy Theories and Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric
Musk’s anti-entitlement rhetoric also included claims that federal benefits are a tool for Democrats to attract illegal immigrants and turn them into voters—a statement resembling the “great replacement” theory, which alleges that political elites are reshaping the country’s demographics for electoral gain.
“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,” Musk said.
This claim has no basis in reality, as undocumented immigrants do not qualify for Social Security benefits and cannot legally vote.
Musk’s Growing Influence in the Trump Administration
The Fox Business interview marked Musk’s third public sit-down since formally joining Trump’s administration as an adviser. Despite his lack of government experience, Musk has been given extraordinary power, overseeing efforts to reduce government spending and streamline federal agencies.
His previous interviews include:
- A joint interview with Trump and Sean Hannity on Fox News.
- A conversation with Joe Rogan, who publicly endorsed Trump in 2024.
Despite being one of the world’s richest men, Musk has maintained a casual, unconventional tone, acknowledging his unusual role in government:
“Frankly, I can’t believe I’m here doing this. It’s kind of bizarre.”
Mixed Republican Reactions
Musk’s aggressive approach to government downsizing has divided Republicans:
Supporters praise him for fighting waste:
- “The American people are sick of the swamp. They’re sick of waste, fraud, and abuse,” said Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC).
Others resist drastic cuts:
- Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) successfully blocked closures of federal offices in his state, including Social Security offices and weather centers.
- “I am thrilled to announce that common sense has prevailed,” Cole said.
Public Backlash and Polling Data
While Musk enjoys strong backing from conservative circles, public opinion is divided:
CNN/SSRS Poll (February 2025):
- 50% of Americans say Trump giving Musk a prominent role in government is “a bad thing.”
- 33% see it as “a good thing.”
Washington Post/Ipsos Survey (February 2025):
- 33% believe Musk is cutting wasteful spending.
- 33% say he’s eliminating essential programs.
- 25% are undecided.
These numbers suggest that while Musk has a loyal base of supporters, his influence in government is controversial and could become a political liability for Trump.
Final Thoughts
Musk’s Fox Business interview reaffirmed his hardline stance on federal spending, but his misleading claims about Social Security fraud have intensified bipartisan concerns.
As Trump balances Musk’s influence with political realities, public opinion and congressional resistance will determine whether Musk’s vision for drastically shrinking the government comes to fruition—or faces pushback from both parties.
With Social Security on the line, the debate over government spending, entitlement reform, and Musk’s role in Washington is far from over.
Elon Musk Pushes Social
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