President Donald Trump is taking a stand against potential waste and fraud in the Social Security system, raising concerns about government records listing beneficiaries over 100 years old — including some supposedly as old as 360.
“We have a healthier country than I thought,” Trump quipped, highlighting the absurdity of these numbers and demanding answers.
The concern echoes claims from Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), who pointed to Social Security Administration (SSA) records listing thousands of beneficiaries aged 150 and older.
Musk and Trump argue that these discrepancies suggest millions in taxpayer dollars may be going to ineligible recipients, a troubling sign of government mismanagement.
While SSA officials have attempted to downplay the issue, saying these numbers reflect outdated records rather than active fraud, watchdogs have long warned of system inefficiencies.
Even if improper payments make up a small percentage of overall Social Security disbursements, they still represent billions in wasted taxpayer money.
Conservatives argue that ensuring Social Security funds go only to the rightful recipients is essential for preserving the program for future generations. With Trump demanding transparency and reform, his push could lead to much-needed oversight and accountability in government spending.