Shumita Basu

This is just one of many changes President Trump and Elon Musk have made to Social Security in the past few weeks. And in spite of what internal audits like the one I just mentioned have shown, Trump and Musk claim the benefits system, which serves over 70 million retired people, is plagued by waste and fraud.

This is just one of many changes President Trump and Elon Musk have made to Social Security in the past few weeks. And in spite of what internal audits like the one I just mentioned have shown, Trump and Musk claim the benefits system, which serves over 70 million retired people, is plagued by waste and fraud.

The administration has announced plans to eliminate thousands of jobs at the agency, close offices, and eliminate the ability for people to file claims by phone. They initially planned to require all claims be filed either in person or online, but they partially walked back that plan after media organizations started reporting on it.

The administration has announced plans to eliminate thousands of jobs at the agency, close offices, and eliminate the ability for people to file claims by phone. They initially planned to require all claims be filed either in person or online, but they partially walked back that plan after media organizations started reporting on it.

The administration has announced plans to eliminate thousands of jobs at the agency, close offices, and eliminate the ability for people to file claims by phone. They initially planned to require all claims be filed either in person or online, but they partially walked back that plan after media organizations started reporting on it.

Still, The Washington Post reports that the Social Security website has been so overloaded that it crashed at least four times this month. And staffing at the agency has already gotten so low, some offices are struggling to handle the influx of calls. Some callers report being on hold for four or five hours.

Still, The Washington Post reports that the Social Security website has been so overloaded that it crashed at least four times this month. And staffing at the agency has already gotten so low, some offices are struggling to handle the influx of calls. Some callers report being on hold for four or five hours.

Still, The Washington Post reports that the Social Security website has been so overloaded that it crashed at least four times this month. And staffing at the agency has already gotten so low, some offices are struggling to handle the influx of calls. Some callers report being on hold for four or five hours.

One reason why Musk is so focused on cuts at Social Security is because the agency accounts for about 20 percent of all federal spending. But Washington Post reporter Todd Frankel told us some of the moves the Doge team has made will actually make it more difficult to root out potential fraud.

One reason why Musk is so focused on cuts at Social Security is because the agency accounts for about 20 percent of all federal spending. But Washington Post reporter Todd Frankel told us some of the moves the Doge team has made will actually make it more difficult to root out potential fraud.

One reason why Musk is so focused on cuts at Social Security is because the agency accounts for about 20 percent of all federal spending. But Washington Post reporter Todd Frankel told us some of the moves the Doge team has made will actually make it more difficult to root out potential fraud.

Frankel says Social Security is one of the most scrutinized and audited agencies in government.

Frankel says Social Security is one of the most scrutinized and audited agencies in government.

Frankel says Social Security is one of the most scrutinized and audited agencies in government.

Social Security is also subject to frequent probes by its Office of Inspector General, which has 500 people on staff. It pays outside auditors to examine its books. Congress regularly questions agency officials. And government watchdogs have not found fraud anywhere close to the level Musk has claimed exists.

Social Security is also subject to frequent probes by its Office of Inspector General, which has 500 people on staff. It pays outside auditors to examine its books. Congress regularly questions agency officials. And government watchdogs have not found fraud anywhere close to the level Musk has claimed exists.

Social Security is also subject to frequent probes by its Office of Inspector General, which has 500 people on staff. It pays outside auditors to examine its books. Congress regularly questions agency officials. And government watchdogs have not found fraud anywhere close to the level Musk has claimed exists.

Frankel reports that the changes to Social Security, both ones that have been considered and those that have been enacted, threaten to disrupt the agency's ability to serve the public. And Social Security is popular among Americans. In fact, an AP-NORC poll earlier this year said two-thirds of Americans think the government is spending too little on Social Security.

Frankel reports that the changes to Social Security, both ones that have been considered and those that have been enacted, threaten to disrupt the agency's ability to serve the public. And Social Security is popular among Americans. In fact, an AP-NORC poll earlier this year said two-thirds of Americans think the government is spending too little on Social Security.

Frankel reports that the changes to Social Security, both ones that have been considered and those that have been enacted, threaten to disrupt the agency's ability to serve the public. And Social Security is popular among Americans. In fact, an AP-NORC poll earlier this year said two-thirds of Americans think the government is spending too little on Social Security.