Mark Cuban vs. Elon Musk: DOGE is “amazing back doorway to cut payments” in Social Security
Mark Cuban slams Elon Musk’s DOGE for finding “an amazing back doorway to cut [Social Security] payments” and warns that seniors are going to be mad.
Billionaire Mark Cuban has not shied away from speaking up about the new Trump administration’s policies. He was a vocal critic of the incoming president’s plans to hit key trading partners with tariffs warning that it would not be the countries exporting goods to the United States that would be paying but the American consumer with higher prices.
He recently spoke up again to take a dig at the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, created by Trump at the behest of his biggest campaign donor, Elon Musk, who also runs the new cost cutting agency. Cuban warned that what DOGE is doing to Social Security is going to result in “some upset seniors at town halls!”
DOGE is “amazing back doorway to cut payments” in Social Security
The tech billionaire has been taking a chainsaw to federal agencies and their workforce haphazardly closing offices and slashing staff. While Trump has repeatedly said that Social Security would not be touched, 47 offices have been slated to be closed and thousands of employees at the Social Security Administration have been fired.
The actions of DOGE have draw rebukes from lawmakers in Washington as well as Cuban. “Got to give Doge credit for being the first to cut entitlements. End telephone support for Social Security, cut dozens of SS offices and make Grandma and Grandpa finally get online to confirm their payments. What an amazing back door way to cut payments! Gonna be some upset seniors at town halls!” he posted on social media.
Got to give Doge credit for being the first to cut entitlements. End telephone support for Social Security, cut dozens of SS offices and make Grandma and Grandpa finally get online to confirm their payments.
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) March 19, 2025
What an amazing back door way to cut payments! Gonna be some upset…
Earlier this month it was announced that any beneficiaries that want to file a claim would first have to verify their identity in person or online but could no longer do so using the SSA phone option.
The proposed change was originally due to begin 31 March, but has since been delayed until 14 April. Additionally, acting Social Security commissioner Leland Dudek partially reversed course allowing those applying for Medicare, disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to continue to file claims and authenticate their identity by phone.
However, those filing for retirement or survivor’s benefits, as well as requests related to direct deposit payments, will have to do so online or in person. The SSA will allow for some rare exceptions to the new rule once it takes effect like when someone is terminally ill.
In a memo drawn up by an official at the SSA it was acknowledged that the new limitations would be “significant” for beneficiaries, especially those living in rural areas. The Wall Street Journal reviewed another internal memo that estimated that 75,000 to 85,000 more people per week would likely swamp SSA offices.
As is, phone services are being strained. So far this year, nearly half of callers to the agency’s 800 number haven’t been able to reach a customer representative.
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