Rhode Island Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has sparked controversy with claims that members of President Donald Trump’s administration, including tech billionaire Elon Musk, are deliberately attempting to sabotage the Social Security Administration (SSA) to pave the way for privatization.
Appearing on MSNBC’s “PoliticsNation” with host Al Sharpton, Whitehouse used colorful language to describe Musk and other Trump advisors, calling them “doggy boys” and “Musk rats” while suggesting they have been deliberately deployed to undermine the federal agency.
“And the danger to Social Security, I think, is very real. You know, watch that carefully,” Whitehouse said during the broadcast. “Trump lies. And one of his lies is that he won’t touch Social Security. But he sent in Musk and those doggy boys, the Musk rats, to wreck up stuff in Social Security.”
Sharpton initiated a discussion by inquiring about voter frustration with the current administration. He noted increased community forum attendance, particularly in Republican districts, driven by concerns over widespread government layoffs and disrupted services. He then posed a question about whether widespread voter dissatisfaction with President Trump’s second term was becoming evident.
Whitehouse responded affirmatively, citing polling data and the inability of Republicans to hold town halls due to constituent anger as evidence of widespread public dissatisfaction.
The senator went on to outline what he described as a deliberate strategy to disrupt Social Security benefits as a pretext for privatization. He pointed out that Governor O’Malley, the former commissioner, warned that intentional actions could disrupt Social Security payments. Senator Whitehouse expanded on this, suggesting a plan to create a crisis and then propose a solution involving private equity and big data companies to manage Social Security.
Whitehouse’s comments come amid growing concerns about changes at the Social Security Administration under the guidance of Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been tasked with reducing government spending.
According to information from Medicare Rights, the Trump administration, through Musk’s DOGE, has targeted SSA field offices, workforce, and telephone services, resulting in office closures, staffing reductions, and limited access to services. These actions have reportedly led to backlogs, long wait times, and reduced in-person availability, making it harder for people to access benefits like Medicare, retirement, and disability.
Representative John Larson (D-CT) recently issued a statement condemning what he described as a leaked internal memo outlining a “Trump-Musk plan” to sabotage SSA operations. According to Larson, the memo suggests that the administration is requiring seniors and disabled Americans to enroll online or in person at field offices, rather than over the phone, creating inefficiencies as part of an effort to privatize the system.
“The memo also indicates that the administration has already begun implementing a plan to consolidate regional offices and cut staff at the SSA,” Larson’s statement read, adding that “Democrats will continue to fight to protect Social Security from the administration’s efforts.”
For his part, Musk has publicly expressed skepticism about Social Security, telling Fox Business that there is between $500 billion to $700 billion in waste that needs to be eliminated from the program. He has suggested that federal entitlement programs like Social Security are a “Ponzi scheme” and a “mechanism” for Democrats to attract and retain immigrants.
However, Musk’s estimates of fraud far exceed figures from watchdogs, and the Social Security Administration has rejected claims about widespread payments to dead people. While President Trump has promised to defend Social Security, Musk’s comments have raised alarms among politicians on both sides of the aisle as he works to downsize the federal government.
The controversy has sparked protests across the country targeting Musk and his companies. In New York City, approximately 250 activists gathered outside a Tesla showroom, holding signs reading “Block Fascism Now” and “Musk Must Go” while chanting “Elon Musk is not elected! Democracy must be protected!” According to The New York Daily News, five protesters were arrested for disorderly conduct, and one was taken into custody for resisting arrest, obstruction, and violation of local law.
Similar demonstrations have occurred in other U.S. cities, as well as in London, Portugal, Malaysia, and Iceland. Police reports indicate there have been more than a dozen acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations since President Trump’s inauguration.
AFSCME retirees and working people recently protested outside a federal court in Baltimore, where a hearing was held regarding Musk’s DOGE gaining access to the Social Security Administration’s personal and sensitive information on millions of Americans. Protesters, including retired Maryland corrections officer Shandala Richburg and former nurse Agnes Watkins, expressed concerns that Musk and DOGE have no right to access their private data and threaten their Social Security benefits.
The White House has not officially responded to Senator Whitehouse’s comments, and the Social Security Administration continues to operate amid the ongoing controversy and protests.
