Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is making outrageous claims about Elon Musk wanting to eliminate Social Security. The Democratic leader just flat out lied about what Elon said.
At a glance:
• Chuck Schumer claims Elon Musk wants to “eliminate” Social Security and Medicare
• Fact check reveals Musk was discussing waste in entitlement programs, not eliminating the programs themselves
• Schumer quoted Musk selectively and out of context to create a false narrative
• Bloomberg News also misrepresented Musk’s comments about entitlement spending
• President Trump has consistently opposed cuts to Social Security and Medicare
Schumer’s Misleading Claims Against Musk
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer launched a series of attacks against Elon Musk this week, claiming the billionaire wants to eliminate Social Security. In his floor remarks, Schumer attempted to tie Republicans to what he characterized as Musk’s desire to dismantle essential programs for seniors and disabled Americans.
Schumer, lying? No way…
Schumer selectively quoted Musk saying, “Most of the federal spending is entitlements…so that’s the big one to eliminate,” suggesting this was proof Musk wanted to end Social Security. However, a full review of Musk’s comments reveals the billionaire was specifically discussing eliminating waste and fraud in entitlement programs, not the programs themselves.
Just take a look at this nonsense:
Elon Musk confirmed it.
Republicans are getting ready to gut Social Security and Medicare.
Republicans know that the math on their billionaire tax cuts won't work without going after benefits that working Americans have earned.
Democrats will fight for you. https://t.co/o4ReEcpPWQ
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 11, 2025
The Democratic leader claimed, “This week, Elon Musk said the quiet part out loud, and every single American should be alarmed.”
His statements appear designed to provoke fear among seniors who depend on these programs.
“So that’s the big one to eliminate”
The richest man on Earth yet again claimed that Social Security and Medicare are riddled with fraud and abuse.
He's lying.
We won't let him take away the benefits that tens of millions of Americans have earned. pic.twitter.com/Oo0Zgi2wYk
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 11, 2025
What Musk Actually Said
Elon Musk’s complete statement paints a very different picture than Schumer’s selective quotation. Musk actually said: “The waste report in entitlement spending, which is most of the federal spending, is entitlements. So that’s, like, the big one to eliminate. That’s the sort of half-trillion, maybe $600, $700 billion a year.”
Clearly, Musk was referring to eliminating waste in the programs, not the programs themselves. This context was conveniently omitted by Schumer and several mainstream media outlets that rushed to amplify the Democratic narrative.
Bloomberg News similarly mischaracterized Musk’s remarks, falsely claiming he targeted Social Security and Medicare specifically for cuts. This pattern of distortion appears designed to create a political wedge issue ahead of the upcoming election.
Unluckily for Schumer, the American people are finally waking up to lies like this.
