NBC News reported Sunday that Republican lawmakers are privately urging billionaire Elon Musk to tone down his public comments about plans to reduce Social Security services—a revelation that sparked sharp criticism from Democratic strategist Pat Dennis.
According to NBC’s exclusive report, “Republicans are voicing concerns about Musk’s downsizing efforts, which include closing some Social Security offices and curtailing telephone services.” The network’s sources suggest GOP leaders are less worried about the substance of the plan and more focused on managing the public fallout.
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Dennis, appearing on MSNBC over the weekend, emphasized what he believes is the deeper problem: Republicans’ unwillingness to stop the actual cuts, rather than just the discussion around them.
“The part of that quote that nobody’s talking about isn’t that they’re saying, oh, you need to say less about it. It’s the fact that they’re not saying you need to stop trying to cut Social Security because the guy is out there closing offices. The guy’s trying to shut down the phone lines on Social Security, and they’re saying, oh, stop talking about it.
They’re not saying, oh, stop doing it,” said Dennis. He added, “So that’s the fight. We’ve got to be in every congressional district. We’ve got to be driving this message home because people are fired up. I’m fired up.”
The controversy arises at a sensitive political moment, with Social Security remaining a deeply valued program for millions of Americans—particularly seniors and those with disabilities. Any moves to reduce its accessibility or funding often trigger a bipartisan backlash among voters, even if lawmakers themselves are divided.
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While Musk has not publicly confirmed a direct role in the federal Social Security Administration, his growing influence in politics and his engagement with Republican lawmakers have raised eyebrows, especially among progressives wary of billionaires impacting social safety net programs.
Dennis’ comments suggest that Democrats plan to aggressively campaign on the issue, highlighting what they view as Republican complicity in undermining a cornerstone of American social policy. With the 2024 election cycle heating up, Social Security appears poised to become a key battleground once again.
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