Overview

• Elon Musk described Social Security as 'the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time' during a podcast interview, prompting sharp criticism from Democrats and advocacy groups.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that the GOP's budget plan does not explicitly target Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid but aims to address fraud and inefficiencies in federal programs.
• The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced plans to cut 7,000 jobs following recommendations from Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) task force, raising concerns about staffing shortages.
• President Trump has reiterated his pledge not to cut Social Security benefits, though skepticism remains due to Musk's significant influence in federal budget discussions.
• Democrats, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have accused Musk of using his government influence to undermine programs that support vulnerable populations, calling for protections against potential cuts.