Social Security: Bernie Sanders Issues Dire Warning About Elon Musk's Plan

Senator Bernie Sanders, a progressive independent from Vermont who caucuses with the Democratic Party, has raised alarms over a reported plan, spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to cut the Social Security Administration (SSA) staff by up to 50 percent.

The senator claimed that such reductions would result in longer wait times for disability benefits and could lead to thousands of deaths.

Newsweek reached out to the SSA and Musk's companies for comment via email on Sunday morning.

Why It Matters

Social Security is a vital program relied upon by millions of Americans, particularly seniors and disabled individuals. The federal agency has already experienced significant backlogs in processing disability claims, and further reductions in staff could exacerbate these delays.

Musk, the world's wealthiest man, has become a key adviser to President Donald Trump. Via DOGE, the billionaire has already spurred thousands of layoffs across the federal government and is pushing for deeper cuts in staffing and spending.

What To Know

Sanders, who has long positioned himself as a champion of the working class and criticized billionaires, posted a warning to X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday.

"Elon Musk's plan to cut the Social Security Administration's staff by 50% would cause 37,000 more Americans to die each year waiting to receive their disability benefits while the average wait time to collect these benefits would jump to 412 days. That is beyond unacceptable," he wrote.

The controversy surrounding Musk's involvement in Social Security stems from his push for deep cuts in government spending while also suggesting Social Security could be targeted.

The Associated Press reported in late February that Social Security staffing could be reduced by up to 50 percent. Currently, the federal agency has about 600,000 employees, meaning approximately 300,000 could be on the chopping block.

In a recent episode of Joe Rogan's podcast, Musk described Social Security as "the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time." That remark drew significant backlash from critics who accused him of spreading "disinformation."

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, has voiced support for reassessing Social Security spending, stating that the GOP wants to "reform" entitlement programs to ensure long-term solvency.

Johnson told NBC News' Meet the Press last Sunday that Republicans and Musk are focused on "ensuring efficiencies, ensuring that the programs are strengthened so that they can remain solvent and help the people they are intended to help."

Despite these assurances, Sanders and other Democrats argue that reducing Social Security staff would be a de facto cut to Social Security as longer wait times and reduced services could prevent beneficiaries from accessing their funds in a timely manner.

What People Are Saying

The Social Security Administration in a press release on February 28: "The agency plans to reduce the size of its bloated workforce and organizational structure, with a significant focus on functions and employees who do not directly provide mission critical services. Social Security recently set a staffing target of 50,000, down from the current level of approximately 57,000 employees. Rumor of a 50 percent reduction is false."

President Donald Trump said in a February Fox interview: "Social Security won't be touched, other than this fraud or something we're going to find. It's going to be strengthened but won't be touched."

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, wrote on X earlier this week: "This guy [Musk] is a leech on the public. No matter how many billions he gets in tax cuts and government contracts, it will never be enough for him."

Senator Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, at the Rescuing the American Dream Summit in Washington, D.C., on Thursday: "I'm optimistic that we're going to get something done. I don't think it's easy. People are thinking the way [GOP Senator] Ron [Johnson] is saying that you can't cut, you can't cut, you can't cut. That's all great. Then you're not worried about any program you care about."

He added: "Because Medicare is going bankrupt. Social Security is going bankrupt. Inflation can't go away. Interest rates can't come down. So, my belief is we're going to have to do this."

What Happens Next?

As debates over Social Security funding continue, Democrats are expected to push back against any proposed staffing reductions or potential funding cuts. Sanders has called for increased funding to Social Security and warned that any cuts would harm the most vulnerable Americans.

Republicans, meanwhile, are facing pressure from fiscal conservatives to address federal spending. The issue is likely to play a major role in ongoing budget negotiations, although Trump has repeatedly said he will not cut funding for Social Security benefits.