During his Fox Business interview, Musk suggested that entitlement programmes should be eliminated rather than simply reducing fraud. He stated, \u201cMost of the federal spending is entitlements. That\u2019s the big one to eliminate.\u201d This statement drew criticism from across the political spectrum, as it implies a move towards dismantling key social programmes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Trump has repeatedly assured that Social Security will be protected, Musk\u2019s position on spending reductions has led to concerns that benefits may still be at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fraud Estimates in Social Security and Other Federal Programmes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMusk\u2019s assertion that fraud in entitlement programmes is the largest source of waste has been met with scepticism. The Government Accountability Office (GAO<\/a>) reported in 2024 that fraud across all federal programmes could range from $233 billion to $521 billion per year, but this estimate includes pandemic relief programmes and other government expenditures, not just Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration<\/a> (SSA), denied that this represents widespread fraud, clarifying that these individuals are not necessarily receiving payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do Illegal Immigrants Receive Social Security Benefits?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMusk also claimed that federal welfare programmes are being used to attract and retain illegal immigrants, ultimately turning them into voters. However, there is no evidence to support this assertion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Undocumented workers do not qualify for Social Security benefits unless they obtain legal status and contribute to the system for at least 10 years. Many undocumented immigrants still pay payroll taxes using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) but are not eligible to receive benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite Musk\u2019s push for reducing entitlement spending, Trump has publicly stated that Social Security will be protected. On 11 March, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed that Trump does not support eliminating Social Security benefits, instead focusing on reducing waste and fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, recent closures of Social Security Administration (SSA) offices could make it more difficult for beneficiaries to access services, raising concerns that administrative changes could still impact recipients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Social Security\u2019s Long-Term Funding Challenge<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile Musk emphasises fraud and improper payments, the biggest financial challenge facing Social Security is demographic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the 2024 Social Security Trustees Report, the programme will not be able to pay full benefits by 2035 unless Congress enacts changes. The worker-to-beneficiary ratio is declining, creating an imbalance between revenue from payroll taxes and the cost of benefits paid out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Baby Boomer generation (born 1946-1964) is retiring in large numbers, while fewer younger workers are entering the workforce to sustain the system. Additionally, longer life expectancy has increased the length of time beneficiaries collect payments, further straining the programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Projected-Source-Social-Security-Trustees-Report-2024-1200x750.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMusk argues that eliminating fraud could help stabilise the budget, but available figures indicate that fraud is not the main driver of the programme\u2019s financial challenges. The $71.8 billion in improper Social Security payments from 2015 to 2022 represents less than 1% of total benefits paid over that period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if 100% of these improper payments were recovered, it would not address the long-term funding shortfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Political Risks and Public Reaction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMusk\u2019s comments have drawn attention within conservative political circles, as many Trump voters rely on Social Security and Medicare. The programme has often been referred to as the “third rail” of American politics, meaning that policy changes related to it can be politically damaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even fiscal conservatives have avoided proposing major Social Security reforms due to fears of voter backlash. With Elon Musk<\/a> advocating for aggressive government downsizing, Trump faces the challenge of appealing to both deficit hawks and working-class voters who depend on these benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Musk also claimed that federal welfare programmes are being used to attract and retain illegal immigrants, ultimately turning them into voters. However, there is no evidence to support this assertion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Undocumented workers do not qualify for Social Security benefits unless they obtain legal status and contribute to the system for at least 10 years. Many undocumented immigrants still pay payroll taxes using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) but are not eligible to receive benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite Musk\u2019s push for reducing entitlement spending, Trump has publicly stated that Social Security will be protected. On 11 March, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed that Trump does not support eliminating Social Security benefits, instead focusing on reducing waste and fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, recent closures of Social Security Administration (SSA) offices could make it more difficult for beneficiaries to access services, raising concerns that administrative changes could still impact recipients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Social Security\u2019s Long-Term Funding Challenge<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile Musk emphasises fraud and improper payments, the biggest financial challenge facing Social Security is demographic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the 2024 Social Security Trustees Report, the programme will not be able to pay full benefits by 2035 unless Congress enacts changes. The worker-to-beneficiary ratio is declining, creating an imbalance between revenue from payroll taxes and the cost of benefits paid out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Baby Boomer generation (born 1946-1964) is retiring in large numbers, while fewer younger workers are entering the workforce to sustain the system. Additionally, longer life expectancy has increased the length of time beneficiaries collect payments, further straining the programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMusk argues that eliminating fraud could help stabilise the budget, but available figures indicate that fraud is not the main driver of the programme\u2019s financial challenges. The $71.8 billion in improper Social Security payments from 2015 to 2022 represents less than 1% of total benefits paid over that period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if 100% of these improper payments were recovered, it would not address the long-term funding shortfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Political Risks and Public Reaction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMusk\u2019s comments have drawn attention within conservative political circles, as many Trump voters rely on Social Security and Medicare. The programme has often been referred to as the “third rail” of American politics, meaning that policy changes related to it can be politically damaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even fiscal conservatives have avoided proposing major Social Security reforms due to fears of voter backlash. With Elon Musk<\/a> advocating for aggressive government downsizing, Trump faces the challenge of appealing to both deficit hawks and working-class voters who depend on these benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMusk argues that eliminating fraud could help stabilise the budget, but available figures indicate that fraud is not the main driver of the programme\u2019s financial challenges. The $71.8 billion in improper Social Security payments from 2015 to 2022 represents less than 1% of total benefits paid over that period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if 100% of these improper payments were recovered, it would not address the long-term funding shortfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n