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Right-wing media claimed Social Security would be protected under Trump — now people are struggling to access their benefits

Written by Pete Tsipis

Research contributions from Zachary Pleat

Published

In the first months of the Trump administration, right-wing media have claimed that Social Security would not be harmed, with some figures even suggesting it would be improved. However, the administration’s signature cuts have hit the Social Security Administration, leading to reports of delayed benefits and long hold times. As the Trump administration is putting even more pressure on SSA to cut costs, experts warn that more chaos at the agency could cause significant delays for seniors awaiting benefits, and that some may not receive their benefits at all.

Additionally, a series of operational changes ordered by the Trump administration at SSA — including staff reductions, closures at regional offices, and burdensome new security measures — have advocates worried for seniors and disabled people who rely on Social Security. 

  • DOGE-driven cuts at the Social Security Administration have thrown operations into chaos

    • The SSA has announced its intention to cut 7,000 of its 57,000 jobs, close offices, and enact new security measures, including in-person office visits for seniors and others who claim Social Security benefits. Although the acting commissioner Leland Dudek is leading the overhaul, he disclosed in a staff meeting that “it’s DOGE – not the DOGE kids, it’s the DOGE management” that is pushing for the rapid and disruptive changes at the agency. [CNN, 3/8/25; NPR, 3/22/25]

    • Americans who want to sign up for Social Security or change their banking information will no longer be able to do so over the phone, which could prevent people from receiving their benefits. As the Social Security Administration prepares to lay off employees, making people visit understaffed field offices could sharply increase appointment wait times, according to The New York Times. Former Social Security Administration commissioner Michael Astrue said that requiring people to verify their identities in person “is going to cause delays” in the delivery of benefits and lead to some people not receiving benefits at all. [The New York Times, 3/24/25; NPR, 3/24/25]

    • The Social Security Administration website has crashed four times in 10 days in the month of March, preventing millions of retirees and disabled Americans from accessing their accounts. [The Washington Post, 3/25/25]

    • The Social Security Administration is cutting phone services at the request of the White House. Dudek said that these changes, which would typically take two years, would be implemented within two weeks. Dudek also acknowledged the policy could increase fraud risks for beneficiaries and create opportunities for scammers. [Axios, 3/24/25]
    • Due to the upcoming cutbacks in phone service, Social Security officials have said that an estimated 75,000 to 85,000 additional visitors a week could show up at local field offices, slowing the process of accessing benefits even more. An internal memo sent by the deputy commissioner for operations acknowledged that the planned reduction in phone services would lead to longer wait and processing times. [The Wall Street Journal, 3/24/25]

  • Seniors trying to access benefits are already feeling the impacts

    • The New York Times reported on a 67-year-old woman in California who spent over a month trying to apply for benefits online and over the phone. Michelle Ouellette told The Times it took over a month to get through to an employee at the Social Security offices. [The New York Times, 3/24/25]

    • The Wall Street Journal reported on a 64-year-old woman who could not submit a claim over the phone and was warned of a two hour wait each time she called the agency’s toll-free number. [The Wall Street Journal, 3/24/25]

    • The Washington Post reported that recorded messages on Social Security phone lines told callers that their wait time would last more than 120 minutes, with some callers reportedly on hold for five hours. Kathy Martinez, a 66-year-old from the San Francisco area, called the toll-free number and told the Post that her hold time was estimated at more than three hours. [The Washington Post, 3/25/25]

  • Right-wing media repeatedly claimed that Social Security would not be negatively impacted by the Trump administration

    • Fox News host Sean Hannity stated, “Zero benefits have been cut. Every living beneficiary continues to get their check in full, on time.” Hannity added, “Donald Trump has vowed over and over to protect these programs, period. In fact, payments could get even higher if Republicans are able to pass Donald Trump's plan to eliminate taxes on Social Security.” [Fox News, Hannity, 3/24/25]

    • While defending the Trump administration’s cuts, Newsmax host Rob Schmitt stated, “They're not taking away your Social Security unless you're dead.” Schmitt also claimed that the administration was only after “entitlement waste.” [Newsmax, Rob Schmitt Tonight, 3/13/25]

    • While responding to a caller who discussed Social Security, Hannity said that Trump is “not gonna touch it, which is consistent with everything that he said. Doesn't mean you can't make improvements and cost efficiency.” Hannity added, “That money will be available to them. I promise you, he is dialed in, and he's over the target, and he's keeping his promises.” [Premiere Networks, The Sean Hannity Show, 2/21/25]

    • Fox News anchor Shannon Bream claimed that the Trump administration is trying to “protect Grandma and Grandpa, and all of us who are going to get these benefits by clearing out waste and the fraudsters who would try to take it away from those people.” [Fox News, America Reports, 3/28/25]

    • Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany stated, “Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security. President Trump said, ‘I’m protecting those.’” McEnany added, “He is a mastermind at how to fix a problem without damaging himself and the party politically. This is brilliant, what they are doing. Absolutely brilliant.” [Fox News, Jesse Watters Primetime, 2/14/25]

    • Fox News host Brian Kilmeade said people “use buzz terms like, he’s going to cut your Social Security. No, he is reforming Social Security. Get the fraud out.” [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 3/28/25]

    • The Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro said, “President Trump, to my chagrin, has said that he doesn’t want to touch any of those large-scale entitlement programs” in reference to Social Security and Medicaid. [The Daily Wire, The Ben Shapiro Show, 3/5/25]