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The claim that deceased Americans are receiving Social Security payments is alarming, fueling calls for radical changes in the federal bureaucracy to tackle waste and fraud. However, there is no evidence to support this assertion. Despite agency staff refuting the claim to Elon Musk and President Trump, both have continued to use it to criticize the government’s spending on Social Security.
Musk appears to have derived this notion from a list of Social Security recipients without documented death dates, which agency employees clarified were not necessarily receiving benefits due to an outdated system. Nevertheless, Trump repeated the claim during a recent speech to Congress, citing figures of individuals aged 100 to 149 supposedly receiving payments. Musk also mentioned a significant number of deceased individuals marked as alive in the database, prompting an investigation by his team.
While Musk and Trump maintain they do not intend to cut entitlement programs, their focus on alleged widespread fraud within these systems contradicts this stance. Musk’s statements on eliminating waste and fraud in entitlement spending have raised concerns about potential cuts to these programs, despite the Trump administration’s efforts to downplay these suggestions.
The White House emphasized the importance of addressing waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending, but Musk’s exaggerated estimates of fraud in entitlement programs have drawn skepticism. Recent reports indicate that the Social Security Administration has experienced a fraction of the losses Musk claims, challenging the narrative of widespread fraud within the agency.
According to a report from ProPublica, deceased individuals over the age of 100 are receiving payments, as revealed in a leaked recording of a private meeting. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) acknowledged that misinformation about dead people getting benefits had spread, but also noted that efforts to educate the public were helping combat this issue. Around 7 million Americans depend on Social Security benefits for the majority of their income, with 54 million individuals and their dependents receiving retirement payments from the agency. While there have been concerns about potential changes to Social Security under the leadership of DOGE, recent developments suggest a scaling back of proposed measures, such as limiting phone services available to recipients. However, ongoing confusion within the Social Security system, including IT challenges, office closures, and job cuts, has raised concerns about the potential impact on beneficiaries. Former Social Security commissioner Martin O’Malley has warned that the workforce reductions proposed by DOGE could lead to system collapse and disruption of benefits in the near future. The idea of altering entitlement programs has historically faced strong opposition, with previous attempts at reform, such as George W. Bush’s proposal to partially privatize entitlements, failing to gain traction. The DOGE’s plan to reduce spending without targeting entitlements has been met with skepticism, as critics argue that addressing waste and abuse within the system should be a priority. By raising the possibility of changes to Social Security, DOGE is delving into territory that has traditionally been considered off-limits, with potential implications for millions of Americans who rely on these benefits.
Intelligence: The Trump administration is embracing artificial intelligence. Damon Beres writes that work is being automated, jobs are being lost, and it’s uncertain if these changes will increase government efficiency. In The Books Briefing, Maya Chung discusses the emergence of literary works that address the impact of COVID over the past five years. Explore all our newsletters here.
Evening Read
Title: I’d Had Jobs Before, but None Like This
By Graydon Carter
Describing his first day at Symington Yard, one of the world’s largest rail yards, the author recounts reporting to work with a duffel bag of belongings and feelings of unease upon seeing a poster detailing the prices the railroad paid for lost body parts. He reflects on the physical demands of the job and the challenges faced as a young, inexperienced worker. Read the full article.
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Culture Break
– Watch: The film “Eephus” is praised for its deliberate pace.
– Read: “The Unworthy” offers a unique take on women’s communities in novels.
– Play our daily crossword.
Stephanie Bai contributed to this newsletter. Your support through book purchases is greatly appreciated.
