Summary

Senator Bernie Sanders warns that Elon Musk’s plan to cut Social Security Administration staff by up to 50% could cause 37,000 additional deaths yearly among disability benefit applicants and extend average wait times to 412 days.

While the SSA clarified they’re targeting a reduction from 57,000 to 50,000 employees (not 50%, or 300,000), Republican leaders like Mike Johnson and Rick Scott have discussed “reforming” entitlement programs for long-term solvency.

This contrasts with Trump’s assurance that “Social Security won’t be touched.” Democrats argue staffing cuts effectively reduce benefits by limiting access and delaying payments for vulnerable Americans.