Trump’s Commerce Secretary Wants Seniors to Shut Up and Sit Down if They Don’t Receive Their Social Security Check

73 Million Americans Receive Social Security – Only Source of Income for Millions of Retirees

Yesterday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick raised the possibility of Americans not receiving their Social Security checks on time on the All In podcast, claiming that seniors like his mother-in-law “wouldn’t call and complain,” and that only “fraudsters” would raise an issue.

Groundwork Collaborative’s Chief of Policy and Advocacy Alex Jacquez reacted with the following statement:

“The Trump Administration just told seniors that they should shut up and sit down if they don’t receive their Social Security checks on time. The real ‘fraudsters’ are Trump’s out-of-touch billionaire donors and advisors denying seniors their hard-earned benefits to pay for their next tax giveaway.”

Email press@groundworkcollaborative.org to speak with a Groundwork expert about DOGE and the Trump Administration’s assault on Social Security. 

BACKGROUND

• Trump has repeatedly claimed that he will not touch Social Security or Medicare. However, the Trump Administration is threatening to virtually shut down the Social Security Administration if a judge restricts Elon Musk and DOGE’s access to sensitive data.
• The Trump Administration is planning to restrict customer service over the phone, forcing beneficiaries to complete identity verification online or in person, potentially forcing seniors without technology access to drive miles to a field office. Meanwhile, DOGE is planning to close dozens of Social Security Administration offices.
• Earlier this month, Elon Musk called Social Security “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.” In an interview with Fox Business, he said it was “the big one to eliminate.”