‘Elon Musk Just Declared War on Social Security’: Democrats Slam Musk for Amplifying Mike Lee’s Attacks on Social Security
Elon Musk listens as President-elect Donald Trump addresses a House Republicans Conference meeting at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. (Andrew Harnik | Getty Images)
A recent series of posts attacking Social Security as a “nightmare” caught the attention of Elon Musk, who weighed in on the discussion in support of Sen. Mike Lee’s (R-Utah) controversial views. Lee, who has long advocated for dismantling Social Security, referred to the program as a “tax plan” disguised as a retirement plan and accused the U.S. government of using “deceptive sales techniques” in creating the program.
Musk, the world’s richest man and now co-chair of an advisory commission on federal spending responded with an “interesting thread,” signaling his support for Lee’s stance. Musk’s comments prompted widespread backlash from social security advocates and Democrats, who were alarmed at the billionaire’s involvement in efforts to slash federal spending, including Social Security.
Max Richtman, president of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), blasted Lee’s comments as “a misrepresentation of Social Security’s history and how the program works.” He reaffirmed that Social Security, which has lifted millions out of poverty, has never missed a payment in its nearly 90-year history.
“There is nothing deceptive about Social Security,” Richtman argued, adding that Lee’s rhetoric aimed to undermine public support and pave the way for privatization. Social Security Works (SSW) also condemned Musk’s amplification of Lee’s thread, accusing him of declaring “war on Social Security.”
Alex Lawson, executive director of SSW, criticized Musk’s support for dismantling the program, pointing out that if billionaires like him paid into Social Security at the same rate as ordinary workers, the program could be expanded and fully funded for future generations. Lawson further warned, “The Republicans are coming for your Social Security, which they call a ‘nightmare.’
Elon Musk’s commission is a plot to destroy our Social Security by giving it to Wall Street executives.” Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, joined the chorus of criticism, stating that Musk’s actions should “enrage and concern every single American who has contributed to Social Security.”
He called Lee’s long-held desire to “phase out Social Security” dangerous and emphasized that Social Security is a “solemn promise” to Americans, paid for through hard-earned wages. On the campaign trail, President-elect Donald Trump promised to defend Social Security, but many Republican lawmakers, now set to hold majorities in both chambers of Congress, are pushing for cuts and reforms.
Including raising the retirement age. As Richtman pointed out, these efforts contradict Trump’s promise to protect earned benefits and align with Lee’s push for privatization and cuts—proposals that the majority of Americans oppose.
