Elon Musk's Remarks on Entitlements Create Political Turmoil in Trump Administration

The White House scrambles to clarify Musk's statements on entitlement spending as criticism mounts over potential cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Elon Musk, head of the Trump-created Department of Government Efficiency, suggested eliminating waste and fraud in entitlement programs during a Fox Business interview, sparking backlash.
Musk referred to Social Security as the 'biggest Ponzi scheme of all time' and linked entitlement spending to undocumented immigration, echoing controversial 'replacement theory' rhetoric.
The White House issued a statement reaffirming that President Trump will not cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits, emphasizing Musk's comments were misinterpreted.
Critics, including some GOP operatives and Trump allies, warn that cuts to entitlement programs could alienate key segments of Trump's voter base, particularly older and working-class Americans.
The incident highlights growing tensions between the Trump administration's populist and plutocratic factions over entitlement reform and government spending priorities.