As Elon Musk continues to slash the budgets of government agencies at the behest of President Donald Trump, Social Security appears to be in the billionaire’s crosshairs. During an appearance on comedian Joe Rogan’s podcast last week, Musk criticized Social Security benefits, which are received by an estimated 72.5 million Americans.

The post 2008 financial shock, by necessity, required governments create massive piles of cash to sustain the economy, especially if they were not going to bail out holders of home mortgages. Turning cash over to finance kept the economy humming,

Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) applaud as US President Donald Trump speaks during an address to a joint session of Congress on March 4, 2025.

Democrats argue that Elon Musk’s criticism of the program and push to squeeze savings from it is a prelude to benefit cuts. Republicans and President Trump say they plan no such thing.

Elon Musk's role as an unofficial federal government overseer under President Donald Trump has raised concerns about how that role might impact the Social Security Administration (SSA). Although

Elon Musk's recent comments on Social Security have sparked a heated debate about the program's future. As he labels it the 'biggest Ponzi scheme of all time,' concerns about sustainability and potential reforms under the Trump administration come to the forefront.