Rep. John Larson Condemns Elon Musk Over Social Security Privatization Concerns

Elon Musk's absence from a congressional hearing sparks outrage as Democrats demand accountability for alleged plans to privatize Social Security.

Democratic Representative John Larson criticized Elon Musk for skipping a House Ways and Means Committee hearing focused on Social Security and government spending reforms led by Musk's Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Larson accused Musk of attempting to privatize Social Security, citing Musk's recent comments labeling the program a 'Ponzi scheme' and alleging widespread fraud in entitlement spending.
Musk's absence drew ire from Larson, who emphasized that wealth does not exempt Musk from accountability before Congress, and called on Republicans to stop shielding him from scrutiny.
The Social Security Administration has faced scrutiny over improper payments, with a 2024 audit revealing $72 billion in errors over seven years, though these represent less than 1% of total payments.
The Trump administration has announced plans to reduce the Social Security Administration workforce by 7,000 employees, raising concerns about access to services for beneficiaries.