Social Security Works Exec. Dir. Alex Lawson sounds the alarm on the Trump/Musk administration’s active targeting of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Here is what we must do.
Trump started cutting your Social Security.
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Summary
In this discussion, Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works, exposes the Republican Party’s ongoing assault on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. He highlights the deliberate budget cuts, office closures, and misinformation campaigns designed to dismantle these programs while enriching billionaires like Elon Musk. Lawson emphasizes the urgent need for collective action to stop these cuts and hold politicians accountable before it’s too late.
Key Takeaways:
- Social Security is under attack—Republicans have already implemented cuts that threaten system collapse, closing offices and reducing staff.
- Medicare and Medicaid cuts are massive—the GOP’s budget includes $880 billion in Medicaid cuts, risking healthcare for seniors, children, and people with disabilities.
- Trump and the GOP are lying—they spread misinformation about fraud to justify dismantling these programs, while enriching corporations and billionaires.
- Republican politicians are vulnerable—17 House Republicans in swing districts could lose re-election if voters mobilize against these cuts.
- Action is crucial—Americans must call their representatives, protest office closures, and organize to protect these vital programs.
The Republican war on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid is nothing more than class warfare—an attempt to rob working Americans of their hard-earned benefits while billionaires hoard wealth. The people must fight back. These programs belong to the public, not to greedy politicians and their corporate backers. If voters organize and resist, they can stop this blatant theft and ensure that these essential services remain strong for future generations.
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For decades, conservatives have worked tirelessly to undermine Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—the pillars of American economic security. Yet, in typical fashion, Donald Trump and his Republican allies continue to mislead the American people about their true intentions. They claim to be “saving” these programs while simultaneously cutting funding, dismantling essential services, and paving the way for privatization.
The latest efforts to gut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are not theoretical or distant threats; they are happening now. As Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works, explains, these cuts are already causing direct harm. Offices are closing, customer service is being hollowed out, and resources are being redirected away from those who depend on these programs. Meanwhile, billionaires like Elon Musk and their political allies are pushing misinformation to obscure the truth.
Social Security Under Attack
Social Security, the most successful anti-poverty program in U.S. history, is now in the crosshairs of right-wing ideologues. Trump and his allies claim there is rampant fraud in the system, but the facts tell a different story. According to government data, improper payments within Social Security are minimal—far less than the fraud seen in the private sector. The reality is that Republican efforts to “reform” Social Security are nothing more than an excuse to defund it, rendering it ineffective and priming it for privatization.
Under Trump and Republican leadership, the Social Security Administration has already faced severe budget cuts, leading to the closure of 45 field offices, with hundreds more at risk. These closures disproportionately impact seniors, people with disabilities, and rural communities who rely on in-person services to navigate their benefits. The goal is clear: make the system frustrating and inefficient, then use that frustration to justify dismantling it.
The strategy isn’t new. Republican leaders, including Trump, have repeatedly called for raising the retirement age and reducing benefits for future generations. In 2020, Trump even proposed eliminating the payroll tax—the primary funding source for Social Security—which would have bankrupted the program within a few years.
Medicare and Medicaid in the Firing Line
Beyond Social Security, the GOP has set its sights on Medicare and Medicaid. Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson claim they want to “protect” these programs, but their actions tell a different story. The latest budget proposals include $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid, jeopardizing healthcare for millions of low-income Americans, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Medicaid is the country’s largest provider of long-term care, covering over half of all nursing home residents. Cutting Medicaid means forcing elderly Americans out of nursing homes, stripping care from children with disabilities, and leaving millions uninsured. It is an immoral attack on the most vulnerable populations, all while the ultra-wealthy receive tax cuts.
Medicare is also under attack. Trump and his allies support privatizing the program through Medicare Advantage, which allows private insurance companies to siphon taxpayer dollars while delivering worse coverage at higher costs. The privatization push is already eroding traditional Medicare, as corporate middlemen exploit the system for profit. According to a 2023 Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) report, Medicare Advantage overcharges taxpayers by billions of dollars annually while denying necessary care to patients.
The Republican Playbook: Lies and Misinformation
Trump and the GOP are using a familiar playbook—flooding the media with misinformation to confuse the public and deflect blame. During a recent speech, Trump falsely claimed that people as old as 200 years were receiving Social Security checks. This is absurd and easily disproven, yet such lies aim to plant doubt in people’s minds.
The actual fraud isn’t in Social Security—it’s in the Republican Party’s corporate giveaways. The first move Trump made as president was signing a $2 trillion tax cut for the wealthiest Americans, ballooning the deficit while falsely blaming Social Security and Medicare for fiscal problems.
To justify their cuts, Republicans argue that entitlement programs are “too expensive” while simultaneously handing out tax breaks to billionaires and defense contractors. If genuinely concerned about the deficit, they would target corporate welfare and tax loopholes instead of gutting programs that working Americans have paid into their lives.
How to Fight Back
Despite the dire situation, the fight is not over. Republicans control the House by a razor-thin margin, and 17 vulnerable GOP representatives are up for reelection in swing districts. These representatives must be held accountable, as their votes could determine the fate of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
The public overwhelmingly supports these programs. According to a 2023 Pew Research survey, 74% of Americans oppose cuts to Social Security. Even among Republican voters, there is strong support for preserving Medicare and Medicaid. The challenge is making sure that people understand the stakes and do not fall for GOP lies.
Here’s how people can take action:
- Call and pressure your representatives: Let them know that any vote to cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid will cost them their job.
- Organize protests at Social Security offices: Many are already closing, and showing up in person demonstrates the direct impact of these policies.
- Spread accurate information: Print out facts, share on social media, and challenge misinformation whenever possible.
- Support progressive candidates: Elect officials who will expand, not gut, these vital programs.
The Power of Collective Action
The billionaires and their corporate-backed politicians underestimate the people’s power. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid exist after decades of activism and resistance against powerful interests. The same energy must be harnessed today.
As Alex Lawson puts it, “We are the cavalry.” No politician will save these programs without public pressure. Ordinary Americans—seniors, workers, caregivers, and allies—must organize, mobilize, and demand justice.
Republicans will continue their deceitful campaign to dismantle these programs. But if Americans stand up, demand accountability, and refuse to be silenced, they can stop this attack. The fight is not just about policy; it’s about people’s lives, dignity, and economic security. The time to act is now.
