Elon Musk defended DOGE, a cryptocurrency, during Trump’s cabinet meeting, criticizing Social Security as a “Ponzi scheme.” Musk, the world’s richest man and advisor to Trump, called the federal government a “pyramid scheme” and advocated for cutting costs and reforming entitlement programs due to declining birth rates and longer life expectancies. However, his claims that dead Americans receive Social Security benefits were found to be exaggerated. Democratic lawmakers expressed concern over Musk’s remarks, fearing Republican efforts to dismantle key social safety net programs. House Speaker Mike Johnson argued that any scrutiny of Social Security would focus on fraud, waste, and abuse rather than cutting benefits. Senator Bernie Sanders suggested repealing the Social Security tax cap on wages to address funding challenges, allowing the wealthy like Musk to contribute more to the program. Musk’s comments sparked debates about the future of Social Security and government spending, with differing views on how to address the program’s financial challenges and ensure its sustainability for future generations.
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