AFSCME President condemns Social Security's shift to Musk's X platform

The Facts -

In a surprising move, the Social Security Administration has reportedly decided to shift all its public communications to Elon Musk's platform, X. This decision has sparked widespread concern among various stakeholders, including retirees and disabled individuals who depend heavily on updates about Social Security.

Concerns Raised by AFSCME

Lee Saunders, President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), has raised significant objections to this decision. Saunders emphasized that the change would force beneficiaries to use X to receive crucial updates, which he sees as an unnecessary imposition. In a recent statement, he said, "Retirees, disabled individuals and the millions of beneficiaries who rely on Social Security should not need an X account to receive updates on the program. Moving all Social Security communications to Elon Musk’s personal social media platform is a blatant effort to gain more users and pad X’s profits." He argues that Social Security information should be accessible to all, without the need for a specific social media account.

Implications for Social Security

Critics, including Saunders, are also concerned that this move is part of a broader strategy to privatize Social Security. He stated, "This administration has made their desire to gut and then privatize Social Security clear. Shuttering the program’s regional offices and moving all communications to a single, unaccountable, insecure, for-profit social media company is just the next step in their scheme to enrich billionaires with our tax dollars." This suggests a fear that the shift could lead to reduced transparency and accountability within the Social Security Administration.

A Call to Action

Saunders has called for action against the involvement of Musk and other tech moguls in the administration of public services. He expressed his determination to resist these changes, stating, "This is exactly why we need to keep Musk and his DOGE cronies out of the Social Security Administration, and we’re not going to give up this fight."

The decision to move communications to X has raised critical questions about the future of how Social Security operates and whether digital platforms should play such a central role. As discussions continue, the implications for millions of Americans relying on this program remain to be seen.

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