Elon Musk Exposes Shocking Discovery: Millions in Social Security Database Listed as 100-159 Years Old
TownhallFEB 19
Social Security Cuts $800M, Plans 7K Job Cuts
Above: Signage outside the US Social Security Administration headquarters in Woodlawn, Maryland, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. Image copyright: Stefani Reynolds/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Facts
The US Social Security Administration (SSA) said it has identified $800M in cost savings for the 2025 fiscal year, including $550M from hiring freezes and overtime reductions and $150M from cuts in information technology (IT) systems, contracts, and grants.
SSA, whose efforts are part of Pres. Donald Trump's cost-cutting agenda, also announced plans to cut staff from 57K to 50K, marking a significant restructuring effort that "could include abolition of organizations and positions" or reassignments, according to the agency.
SSA is consolidating its geographic footprint by reducing regional offices from 10 to four, while also implementing a 70% reduction in travel expenses and cutting costs in areas such as postage, printing, and protective security services.
The Spin
Republican narrative
Trump and DOGE are slashing Social Security waste, not benefits. If these latest staff and travel expenses weren't bad enough, this comes after DOGE uncovered millions of dollars in excess spending on payments to deceased centenarians. Trump's mission is to curb fraud and inefficiency, not touch your hard-earned money. The president is protecting Americans' retirement by targeting corrupt bureaucratic bloat.
Democratic narrative
While Trump may have promised to protect Social Security in the past, his faith in Musk, who effectively called for its abolishment by declaring it a "Ponzi scheme," shows he's going after more than just waste. DOGE's push to slash staff and close offices — paired with promoting Leland Dudek, who's under investigation for data breaches —signals an internal assault, not reform. Retirees should be skeptical of this administration's control over the SSA.