Trump and Musk Falsely Claim Millions of Dead People Receive Social Security
The Trump administration and Elon Musk falsely claimed millions of deceased centenarians are receiving Social Security benefits, a figure significantly inflating the actual problem of improper payments. While improper payments, including some to deceased individuals, exist, the majority of erroneous payments were overpayments to the living, totaling less than 1% of total benefits. The inflated figures stem from outdated software and incomplete death records, not widespread fraud involving impossibly aged recipients. The administration’s focus on this issue distracts from more substantial areas of government financial waste.
John Q. Hosedrinker