#  'This Guy Is a Leech on the Public': AOC Rips Musk Over Attack on Social Security

     Details    Jake Johnson   ![logo](https://www.citywatchla.com//templates/ja_teline_v/images/logo.png)         March 03 2025      [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Mar-2025/018l.jpg#joomlaImage://local-images/stories/Mar-2025/018l.jpg?width=1532&height=860)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/important-reads/30470-this-guy-is-a-leech-on-the-public-aoc-rips-musk-over-attack-on-social-security)

  [IMPORTANT READS](https://www.citywatchla.com/important-reads)   - [  Previous Article **Violence Against Guantánamo Detainees, Again** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30498:violence-against-guantanamo-detainees-again&catid=9)
- [  Next Article **Why Businesses Invest in Digital Marketing Consulting Services for Growth** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30451:why-businesses-invest-in-digital-marketing-consulting-services-for-growth&catid=9)

  ###### Typography

- [](# "Smaller Font")  ****Smaller** **Small** **Medium** **Big** **Bigger****  [](# "Bigger Font")
- [](# "Previous Font Style")  ****Default** **Helvetica** **Segoe** **Georgia** **Times****  [](# "Next Font Style")

- [ Reading Mode](# "Reading Mode")

> <a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)
>
>  [Comments](#disqus_thread)

 SOCIAL SECURITY - Progressive lawmakers and advocates hit back on Sunday after [Elon Musk](https://www.commondreams.org/tag/elon-musk) parroted the [long-debunked](https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/social-security-not-ponzi-scheme) right-wing claim that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme, the billionaire's latest [false attack](https://apnews.com/article/social-security-payments-deceased-false-claims-doge-ed2885f5769f368853ac3615b4852cf7) on the nation's [most effective](https://www.cbpp.org/research/social-security/social-security-lifts-more-people-above-the-poverty-line-than-any-other) anti-poverty program.

Musk made the comments during an [appearance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSOxPJD-VNo) on the "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast over the weekend, and the episode has already racked up nearly 8 million views as of this writing.

"Social Security is the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time," Musk said. "If you look at the future obligations of Social Security, it far exceeds the tax revenue."

The advocacy group [Social Security Works](https://www.commondreams.org/tag/social-security-works) noted in response that Social Security—which is [90% funded](https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/the-2024-trustees-report-shows-that-social-security-is-benefiting-from-a-strong-economy) for the next quarter-century—"hasn't missed a payment in 89 years" and accused Musk of "defaming" the program as part of an effort to "cut benefits and otherwise destroy Social Security."

Musk's comments came as the Trump administration, with the assistance of the billionaire Tesla CEO's [lieutenants](https://projects.propublica.org/elon-musk-doge-tracker/), is [working to gut](https://www.commondreams.org/news/social-security-administration-layoffs) the already-understaffed Social Security Administration, an effort that could result in benefit delays and disruptions.

"This guy is a leech on the public," Rep. [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez](https://www.commondreams.org/tag/alexandria-ocasio-cortez) (D-N.Y.) wrote on social media after a clip of Musk's remarks on Rogan's podcast circulated. "No matter how many billions he gets in tax cuts and government contracts, it will never be enough for him."

"Now he's going after the elderly, the disabled, and orphaned children so he can pocket it in tax cuts for himself," Ocasio-Cortez added. "It's disgusting."

Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, wrote that "a guy who makes [$8 million a day off the government](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/20/us/politics/elon-musk-federal-agencies-contracts.html) thinks seniors getting $65 a day they worked their whole lives to earn is a 'Ponzi scheme.'"

"Protect Social Security," Casar wrote. "Fire Elon Musk."

Sen. [Bernie Sanders](https://www.commondreams.org/tag/bernie-sanders) (I-Vt.) also weighed in on Musk's comments during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday morning, calling the billionaire's attack on Social Security "totally outrageous."

"That's a hell of a Ponzi scheme when for the last 80 years, Social Security has paid out every nickel owed to every eligible American. Quite a Ponzi scheme," said Sanders, who called on lawmakers to support his proposal to expand Social Security benefits by lifting the [cap on income](https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-02387.html) subject to payroll taxes.

"You lift that cap, we can extend the solvency of Social Security for 75 years," the Vermont senator said. "And you can raise benefits."

Last week, as Common Dreams[reported](https://www.commondreams.org/news/republicans-block-social-security-increase), Sanders attempted to pass his Social Security expansion bill through the Senate via unanimous consent, but Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) objected, blocking the legislation.

*(Jake Johnson is a senior editor and staff writer for Common Dreams where this article was first published.)*

  - [  Previous Article **Violence Against Guantánamo Detainees, Again** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30498:violence-against-guantanamo-detainees-again&catid=9)
- [  Next Article **Why Businesses Invest in Digital Marketing Consulting Services for Growth** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30451:why-businesses-invest-in-digital-marketing-consulting-services-for-growth&catid=9)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>