Elon Musk Criticized for Targeting Social Security
A series of critical X posts by Elon Musk, targeting Social Security as a “nightmare”, has sparked widespread attention. Musk, who is the wealthiest person globally, responded to these posts by Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah), known for his harsh stance on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Lee has openly expressed his desire to completely eliminate Social Security.
In a recent series of posts, Lee portrayed Social Security, a program crucial for lifting more Americans out of poverty than any other, as merely a tax scheme masquerading as a retirement plan. He also criticized the original Social Security Act of 1935 as a deceptive tactic used by the U.S. government to mislead its citizens.
Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, responded by defending the integrity and success of Social Security. “Social Security has been a reliable social insurance program for nearly 90 years, faithfully delivering payments without fail,” Richtman stated on Tuesday. He accused Senator Lee of spreading misinformation that jeopardizes public support for the program, potentially making it easier to cut or privatize. Richtman also highlighted that Lee’s campaign receives significant funding from the securities and investment industry.
“The money belongs to us, Mike Lee, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump. You won’t take a penny of it.”
Lee also perpetuated the debunked claim that the federal government frequently misappropriates funds from the Social Security Trust Fund, a common narrative among some conservatives.
Social Security Works, a progressive advocacy group, expressed alarm on Tuesday, stating that Musk, by sharing Lee’s views with his vast following, has effectively “declared war on Social Security.”
“Social Security has been a dependable source of support for 89 years, through economic ups and downs and societal challenges,” remarked Alex Lawson, executive director of Social Security Works. He suggested that if billionaires like Musk contributed to Social Security at the same rate as average Americans, it would be possible to enhance and indefinitely sustain the benefits. Lawson described the actions of Musk and some Republicans as a direct assault on seniors, disabled individuals, and the general American populace.
Lawson warned, “We’ve seen this scenario before. When Republicans dismantled traditional pension plans, they promised that the market would deliver substantial returns. Instead, ordinary workers ended up with minimal gains while Wall Street executives reaped billions. We will oppose this Republican attempt to plunder our rightfully earned benefits. The money is ours, Mike Lee, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump. You will not take a penny of it.”
Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, joined in the criticism of Lee’s proposals and Musk’s endorsement of them, asserting that their actions should alarm every American who has contributed to Social Security.
“Senator Mike Lee has long harbored ambitions to phase out Social Security, and his detrimental ideas have been largely overlooked until now. But last night, he received significant support from Elon Musk, who broadcasted Lee’s misguided opinions on Social Security via X,” Fiesta stated. He emphasized that Social Security represents a binding commitment between the American people and their government, funded through payroll deductions and expected to be available upon retirement or in case of disability or loss of a family breadwinner.
During his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump promised to protect Social Security while also advocating policies that could undermine the program’s financial health.
With Republicans poised to control both houses of Congress, many have suggested increasing the Social Security retirement age, effectively reducing benefits for everyone. On Tuesday, Representative Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) indicated on Fox Business Network that difficult decisions about Social Security, along with Medicare and Medicaid, would need to be made, hinting at potential benefit reductions.
Richtman warned that these attacks by Lee and other Republicans contradict President Trump’s commitments and signal a push towards privatization and benefit cuts, changes unpopular with the majority of Americans across all political affiliations.