Donald Trump vows no cuts to Social Security benefits, Medicaid amid Elon Musk-led fraud probe

US President Donald Trump has reiterated that Social Security benefits will not be cut, despite growing concerns over Elon Musk’s review of the program for potential fraud.

Trump stated, speaking to Fox News on Tuesday (February 18): “Look, Social Security won’t be touched, other than if there’s fraud or something. It’s going to be strengthened. But it won’t be touched.”

Trump also assured that Medicare and Medicaid would remain intact. “None of that stuff is going to be touched,” he said, adding that his administration would remove “illegal migrants in the system.”

Musk’s fraud allegations spark concern

Democrats have raised alarms that Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) may push for Social Security cuts under the guise of eliminating fraud. Musk, however, has insisted his focus is on “fraud, waste, and abuse” within the agency, which he has called the site of “the biggest fraud in history.”

Musk’s allegations have already led to disruptions within the Social Security Administration (SSA). The agency’s acting commissioner resigned over the weekend following DOGE’s attempts to access sensitive SSA data.

Musk’s controversial claims on Social Security fraud

Musk has made bold claims about Social Security fraud, arguing that many deceased individuals are still receiving benefits. In a CNN interview on February 11, he stated: “With a cursory examination of Social Security, we’ve got people in there that are 150 years old now.”

He later doubled down on his assertions on social media. On February 16, Musk posted on X: “Maybe Twilight is real and there are a lot of vampires collecting Social Security.”

DOGE investigates SSA database

DOGE has since turned its attention to the Social Security database, with Musk claiming tens of millions of dead people may still be receiving payments. In a post on X, Musk shared a screenshot of a spreadsheet, saying: “According to the Social Security database, these are the numbers of people in each age bucket with the death field set to FALSE!”

DOGE responded on Monday, stating it was “looking into this.”

Pushback over data access and privacy concerns

Musk’s efforts at SSA have faced resistance due to concerns over DOGE’s access to private data, particularly at the SSA, IRS, and Department of Education. Critics worry that DOGE’s scrutiny could disrupt benefit payments or lead to unauthorised use of sensitive information.

White House defends Musk’s efforts

Despite criticism, the White House has defended Musk’s involvement. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump had directed DOGE to uncover fraud at the SSA.

“They suspect that there are tens of millions of deceased people receiving fraudulent Social Security payments,” Leavitt told Fox News. “Rest assured to all the people … if you paid into the system honestly, you will continue to receive your Social Security checks.”

Leavitt dismissed concerns as “fearmongering” and assured Americans that Musk’s investigation would not disrupt payments.

As Musk’s DOGE continues its review of the SSA, questions remain about the extent of fraud within the system and the potential impact of his findings. While Trump has vowed to protect Social Security, the controversy surrounding DOGE’s access to federal databases and Musk’s provocative claims suggest ongoing tensions over the program’s future.