Key Points:
- Elon Musk’s DOGE alleges widespread Social Security fraud, but their claims lack concrete evidence and are seen as exaggerated.
- A report found that improper payments accounted for less than 1% of total benefits, far lower than Musk suggested.
President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE have escalated claims about widespread fraud in Social Security payments, asserting that individuals over 100 years old are improperly receiving benefits. Their statements, however, have been criticized as exaggerated and lacking concrete evidence.
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Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE Allege Social Security Fraud
At a press briefing in Florida on Tuesday, Trump claimed that “millions and millions” of centenarians were receiving Social Security payments, calling the situation “fraudulent or incompetent.”
The US President added that eliminating these individuals from the system would strengthen the program. Musk echoed these concerns in a series of posts on his social media platform, X, including a suggestion that vampires might be fraudulently collecting benefits.
The Tesla CEO, who has been a vocal advocate for government efficiency, recently appeared alongside Trump at an Oval Office event, where he discussed efforts to increase transparency and reduce waste. Elon Musk’s DOGE statements, however, lacked supporting data, particularly regarding his claim that U.S. funds were being misused abroad, reported by the BBC Verify.
Musk’s Role in Government Oversight Questioned
The Department of Government Efficiency, which Musk has championed, has been conducting audits of various agencies. However, court filings indicate that Musk is not officially employed by DOGE and lacks the authority to implement federal policy. According to the Associated Press, White House officials have described him as a senior adviser rather than an agency leader.
A July 2024 report from the Social Security Inspector General found that between 2015 and 2022, the agency disbursed $71.8 billion in improper payments—less than 1% of total benefits. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury recently reclaimed $31 million in federal payments mistakenly sent to deceased individuals.
While improper Social Security payments do occur, official figures suggest the problem is significantly smaller than Trump and Musk allege. Despite mounting lawsuits challenging their claims and methods, Trump continues to push for drastic federal spending cuts, including Musk’s suggestion to eliminate entire agencies.
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