Social Security
Why did Americans stop trusting experts and government institutions?
The decline in trust has deep historical roots dating back to Vietnam and Watergate, but was significantly accelerated during Donald Trump's presidency. Trump and his allies consistently messaged that the government couldn't be trusted, promoting unfounded claims about government inefficiency and fraud. They pumped falsehoods into the 'informational bloodstream,' making assertions about deep state conspiracies and government malfeasance. The pandemic further eroded public trust in expertise. This systematic undermining created fertile ground for figures like Elon Musk to continue spreading distrust through unverified assertions that many Americans accept without evidence.
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MSNBC
05:43 - 07:31
What types of sensitive data does the Social Security Administration maintain?
The Social Security Administration maintains an extensive repository of sensitive personal information that in some cases is even more sensitive than IRS data. This includes Social Security numbers, bank information for direct deposits, and details about family relations and dependents. More significantly, the SSA possesses the world's largest repository of medical information. This combination of financial, personal, and medical data makes the SSA's records particularly sensitive, raising important concerns about privacy and data security when access is granted to external entities like Doge.
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MSNBC
00:00 - 00:46
What are the concerns about Elon Musk's involvement with the Social Security Administration?
There's significant distrust surrounding Elon Musk's access to Social Security data. As a special government employee rather than a full-time official, Musk maintains his private companies that benefit from billions in federal contracts while simultaneously making important decisions about government operations. The resignation of the Social Security Administration head highlights concerns among career officials that personal information might be misused. This unusual arrangement has created conflict as Musk 'roots around' through government, determining what stays and what goes without electoral accountability. Career professionals at the Social Security Agency worry something 'untoward' could happen with the sensitive personal data under Musk's influence.
Watch clip answer (00:45m)MSNBC
01:29 - 02:15
Why is there distrust surrounding Elon Musk's involvement with the Social Security Administration?
There's significant distrust because Musk lacks government experience and isn't elected, yet has access to sensitive personal information as a special government employee. This arrangement allows him to maintain his private companies, which benefit from billions in federal contracts, while making important government decisions. The distrust intensified when the head of the Social Security Administration stepped down, raising concerns among career officials that something inappropriate might be done with personal data. Musk's unusual position of influence without traditional accountability has created conflict within the agency.
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MSNBC
01:19 - 02:15
What concerns does Peter Baker raise about Elon Musk's approach to government efficiency?
Peter Baker criticizes Elon Musk's approach to government reform, noting that Musk and his team view government employees as 'villains' perpetrating a 'deep state conspiracy against the American people.' Baker argues this adversarial stance, where federal workers are made to feel like villains, creates unnecessary conflict rather than collaboration. While acknowledging this approach provides 'red meat' for a political campaign, Baker suggests it may not be the most constructive method for identifying genuine fraud, waste, and abuse. He advocates for a more balanced approach that taps into the expertise of government insiders while bringing outside wisdom, without setting these groups in opposition to each other.
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MSNBC
04:24 - 05:07
How does Elon Musk's current government involvement compare to Al Gore's government reform efforts in the 1990s?
According to the discussion, while some are drawing parallels between the two, they represent fundamentally different approaches. Al Gore's efforts during the Clinton administration focused on making the federal government more efficient and less wasteful, ultimately contributing to a balanced budget by the end of the 90s. His reform was considered successful and systematic. In contrast, Elon Musk's approach involves 'trawling through agencies' to access information, with Tom Nichols from The Atlantic explicitly stating this is not a fair comparison. Unlike Gore's structured efficiency initiatives, Musk's methods appear more intrusive and lack the same institutional framework that characterized Gore's successful government reform efforts.
Watch clip answer (00:29m)
MSNBC
02:41 - 03:11