"They want to rob it": Former Social Security head says Musk, Trump are "wrecking" agency to raid it

Salon - Apr 18th, 2025
Open on Salon

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is facing significant threats under the new administration of President Donald Trump, who has teamed up with billionaire Elon Musk to drastically reduce government spending. Former SSA Administrator Martin O'Malley, appointed by President Joe Biden, voiced concerns that improvements made during his tenure are in jeopardy as the Trump administration targets the agency for budget cuts. According to O'Malley, these cuts are dismantling the agency's staffing and could lead to a total system collapse, impacting its ability to serve millions of Americans who rely on Social Security benefits.

These developments are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration and Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to streamline government operations, which critics argue could damage the credibility and functionality of essential services like Social Security. The cuts are seen as a strategic move to undermine the agency, potentially paving the way for a raid on its $2.7 trillion surplus. The situation has raised alarms among former officials and some Republicans who recognize the program's importance but have remained largely silent. The implications of these changes could be far-reaching, potentially disrupting benefits for the first time in 90 years and impacting public trust in one of the country's most reliable institutions.

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RATING

4.8
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article addresses a highly relevant and contentious issue concerning the management of the Social Security Administration under the Trump administration and the influence of Elon Musk. It highlights significant concerns about the potential destabilization of a crucial public program, which is of great public interest. However, the article's accuracy is compromised by its reliance on a narrow range of sources and the lack of verification for several key claims. The narrative is unbalanced, presenting a predominantly critical view without adequately representing opposing perspectives or justifications. While the article is engaging and timely, its effectiveness is limited by its lack of transparency and potential bias. A more balanced and evidence-based approach would enhance the story's credibility and contribute to a more informed public discourse on this important topic.

RATING DETAILS

5
Accuracy

The story presents several claims that require verification, such as the alleged improvements in the Social Security Administration (SSA) under Martin O’Malley and the purported deterioration under Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The claim of a 68% reduction in call wait times and a 24% decrease in disability hearing delays under O’Malley's leadership needs to be substantiated with SSA performance reports. Similarly, the assertion that Trump and Musk are drastically cutting SSA staffing and resources to the point of threatening its functionality is significant and requires evidence from official announcements or staffing data. While the article mentions the alleged firing of the SSA Inspector General and the cancellation of Social Security numbers for eligible immigrants, these claims also need substantiation through official records or legal analyses. The story's accuracy is challenged by its reliance on potentially biased sources and the lack of corroboration for several key claims.

4
Balance

The article predominantly presents a critical perspective of the Trump administration and Elon Musk, with little representation of their viewpoints or justifications for the alleged actions. The narrative is heavily weighted towards the opinions and warnings of Martin O’Malley and Joe Biden, without providing a counterbalance from the current administration or other stakeholders. This lack of balance can lead to a skewed understanding of the situation, as it omits important perspectives that could provide a more comprehensive view of the issues at hand. The inclusion of viewpoints from the Trump administration or other government officials could have provided a more balanced representation of the situation.

6
Clarity

The language and structure of the article are generally clear, and the narrative is easy to follow. However, the tone is somewhat alarmist, which may affect the neutrality of the information presented. The article effectively communicates the urgency of the situation as perceived by its sources, but it could benefit from a more measured approach that presents facts without sensationalism. The structure could be improved by organizing the information in a way that clearly distinguishes between verified facts and opinions or predictions, helping readers to better understand the basis of each claim.

5
Source quality

The article relies heavily on statements from Martin O’Malley and Joe Biden, which may introduce bias given their political affiliations and roles. While these sources have authority on the subject, the lack of diversity in sourcing limits the reliability of the information presented. The absence of direct quotes or data from current SSA officials, independent experts, or neutral third-party analyses weakens the article's credibility. The story could benefit from a wider range of sources to enhance its reliability and provide a fuller picture of the situation.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of how the information was gathered and the potential biases of the sources. There is no clear explanation of the methodology used to verify the claims or the context in which the statements were made. Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest that its sources might have, which is crucial for readers to understand the potential biases influencing the narrative. Greater transparency about the sources and the context of their statements would improve the article's credibility and allow readers to assess the information more critically.

Sources

  1. https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/
  2. https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-increases-transparency-and-accountability-shares-more-information-online/
  3. https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/03/fact-check-president-trump-will-always-protect-social-security-medicare/
  4. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2025/03/20/threats-to-the-social-security-administration-and-to-benefits-continue-to-raise-alarm
  5. https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/social-security/what-trump-has-done-with-social-security