Social Security Fraud
Will President Trump protect Social Security and Medicare benefits for Americans?
President Trump firmly assures that Social Security and Medicare will not be touched under his administration. He emphasizes these programs will be strengthened while targeting only fraud within the systems. Trump states clearly: 'Social Security won't be touched other than fraud or something. We're going to find it's going to be strengthened.' He further clarifies that Medicare, Medicaid and related programs will remain intact, with efforts focused on removing illegal migrants from these systems to eliminate waste and fraud.
Watch clip answer (01:10m)
Fox News
04:57 - 06:08
What directive has President Trump given regarding fraud in the Social Security Administration?
President Trump has directed Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) team to investigate potential fraud within the Social Security Administration. According to White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, though they haven't yet examined the financial records thoroughly, they suspect tens of millions of deceased individuals may be receiving fraudulent Social Security payments. This initiative is part of the administration's efforts to identify and eliminate government inefficiencies, though the claims of widespread fraud involving deceased benefit recipients remain unverified at this stage. The investigation represents a significant focus on financial oversight within federal benefit programs.
Watch clip answer (00:16m)
NBC News
02:34 - 02:50
What does the data show about fraudulent Social Security payments to deceased individuals?
According to the July 2023 inspector general report, there is no evidence that tens of millions of deceased people are receiving fraudulent Social Security payments. The report found that less than 1% of benefit payments from 2015 to 2022 were improper, and most of these improper payments were not made to deceased individuals. This data contradicts claims about widespread fraud in the Social Security system, providing important context about the actual scope of payment issues.
Watch clip answer (00:19m)NBC News
03:08 - 03:27
What do Trump's new executive orders focus on?
President Trump's executive orders focus on two key areas: expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and implementing 'radical transparency' in government agencies. The IVF order aims to improve affordability and accessibility of fertility treatments. The transparency initiative puts information from the Department of Government Efficiency online, allowing the public to see where potential government savings have been identified. This is part of Trump's effort to address government inefficiency by making data on possible cost-saving measures publicly available.
Watch clip answer (02:08m)
CBS News
26:21 - 28:30
What was Donald Trump's reaction to the number of people over 100 years old in Social Security data?
According to the transcript, Donald Trump expressed surprise at the number of centenarians in Social Security data, exclaiming "Wow, that's a lot." He acknowledged the significance of these figures, noting they represent people over 100 years old. The description indicates Trump discussed broader implications of these demographics, including populations reaching beyond 150 years and potential impacts on benefits distribution. His reaction suggests these statistics revealed unexpected demographic trends that could have important consequences for social programs and society at large.
Watch clip answer (00:02m)
NBC News
00:59 - 01:02
What concerns has Donald Trump raised about Social Security payments to centenarians?
Donald Trump expresses skepticism about reports indicating nearly 4 million people over 100 years old receiving Social Security benefits. He questions whether these payments are legitimate, citing implausible statistics of recipients ranging from 140-149 years old and even 150-159 years old, far exceeding human longevity records. Trump suggests these numbers warrant investigation for potential fraud, as he states they are "checking right now" whether these payments are actually being disbursed. His comments reflect broader concerns about fiscal accountability within the Social Security system.
Watch clip answer (00:32m)
Al Jazeera English
15:05 - 15:37