AFSCME President Saunders responds to Elon Musk's Social Security remarks

Recent comments by Elon Musk regarding the need to cut Social Security have sparked widespread reactions, particularly from labor organizations. Musk's description of Social Security as "the big one to eliminate" in his strategy to reduce public expenditure has faced significant pushback.

AFSCME's Response

AFSCME President Lee Saunders has been vocal in his criticism of Musk's statement. In a recent statement, he argued that Musk's intentions reveal a disregard for essential social programs. According to Saunders, Musk equates support for retirees and the disabled with "waste," viewing the benefits that seniors have earned as "fraud" and the fulfillment of Social Security's promise as "abuse."

"The mask is off: Elon Musk wants to cut Social Security. The richest man in the world calls support for seniors and disabled individuals 'waste.' He claims that retirees receiving the benefits they spent their careers paying into is 'fraud,' and fulfilling the promise of Social Security is 'abuse.' But his lies aren’t working," stated Saunders. "We know the real fraud being committed isn’t the 75-year-old retiree using her Social Security check to pay for groceries, but the unelected billionaire in the White House slashing public services in the name of unproven waste so he can enrich himself and his wealthy friends. The charade is over."

Mobilizing Against Cuts

AFSCME is actively organizing efforts to counter Musk's proposed cuts. "Elon Musk’s game to take away working peoples’ hard-earned benefits to make room for his tax cuts is clear for all to see," Saunders emphasized. He added that the union is committed to galvanizing both workplaces and communities to defend their financial security and retirement benefits.