In response to recent comments made by tech billionaire Elon Musk, the White House has issued a fact check to clarify that the Trump Administration will not cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits. This statement comes after Musk’s remarks about entitlement spending gained traction in the media.
During a rare television interview on Fox Business Network, Musk discussed the issue of waste and fraud in entitlement spending, which he claimed accounts for a significant portion of federal spending. He suggested that eliminating this waste could save the government between $500 billion and $700 billion annually. Musk’s comments were widely reported, leading to concerns that the administration might be considering cuts to these essential programs.
However, the White House swiftly pushed back on these reports, emphasizing that President Trump has repeatedly stated his commitment to protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The administration’s fact check highlighted several key points:
- The U.S. Government Accountability Office estimates that taxpayers lose as much as $521 billion annually to fraud, with most of this occurring within entitlement programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.
- Over the past two decades, the federal government has made an estimated $2.7 trillion in improper payments, the majority of which were payments to deceased individuals or those no longer eligible for government programs.
- The Social Security Administration made an estimated $72 billion in improper payments between 2015 and 2022.
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimated it made over $140 billion in improper payments in 2024 alone.
The White House reiterated that Musk’s comments were specifically about addressing waste, fraud, and abuse within these programs, not cutting the benefits themselves. President Trump has consistently stated that he will not cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits, and the administration remains committed to eliminating waste and fraud to ensure the efficiency and sustainability of these programs.
As the debate continues, the administration’s stance is clear: protecting the benefits of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid while addressing the significant issue of waste and fraud within these programs. The White House’s fact check aims to reassure the public and dispel any misconceptions about potential cuts to these vital services.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
