"This guy is a leech...": AOC slams Elon Musk over calling the US social security the 'biggest Ponzi scam' of all time

A heated political confrontation has erupted between Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, following his recent remarks on Social Security. Musk, who has played a key role in the Trump administration’s cost-cutting initiatives through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), labeled Social Security the “biggest Ponzi scheme of all time” during an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
Ocasio-Cortez, a vocal critic of Musk, responded with sharp criticism, calling him a “leech on the public” and accusing him of prioritizing tax cuts for billionaires over the well-being of vulnerable Americans. This latest exchange is part of a long-standing conflict between the two, with AOC frequently challenging Musk’s influence in government and his involvement in federal contracts. The dispute raises broader questions about Musk’s expanding role in government decision-making and the impact of his cost-cutting measures on public services.

During his appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Musk claimed that Social Security operates as a Ponzi scheme, suggesting that its financial structure is unsustainable. He also echoed a widely debunked assertion previously made by former President Donald Trump, stating that “millions and millions of people over 100 years old” were still receiving Social Security benefits.
Musk further alleged that a simple search of the Social Security database revealed that 20 million deceased individuals were still listed as alive. However, these claims contradict government data. According to a 2024 report from the Social Security Administration (SSA), only 1% of payments made between 2015 and 2022 were improper, with most of those payments going to living recipients rather than deceased individuals.
His comments immediately drew backlash, particularly from lawmakers who view Social Security as a crucial safety net for retired workers, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals. Currently, approximately 69 million Americans rely on Social Security benefits, making it one of the most significant federal programs in the United States.

Shortly after Musk’s podcast appearance, Ocasio-Cortez took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize him. She accused Musk of benefitting from government subsidies and contracts while simultaneously advocating for policies that would dismantle social safety programs.
“This guy is a leech on the public. 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. It’s disgusting.”
Her comments reflect growing concerns among some lawmakers about Musk’s influence within the federal government, particularly through his role in the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Musk has been closely involved with DOGE, an agency created under the Trump administration to reduce federal spending. Under Musk’s leadership, DOGE has implemented widespread staff layoffs, a reduction in government real estate holdings, and significant cuts to federal contracts.
One of the most controversial moves involved layoffs at the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) medical devices division, which raised alarms about potential risks to public health and safety. Following backlash, some of these employees were later reinstated.
Ocasio-Cortez has been particularly vocal about Musk’s involvement in these decisions, questioning his qualifications to make such impactful changes:
“Elon Musk is not a scientist. He is not an engineer. He is a billionaire conman with a lot of money,” she told her colleagues in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
“I sincerely ask you all to examine what expertise he has in medical devices…These are people’s lives that are on the line.”

Beyond his role in government cost-cutting, Musk’s companies—SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and The Boring Company—have received billions of dollars in federal contracts and subsidies. Ocasio-Cortez has repeatedly pointed to these financial benefits as evidence of Musk’s deep reliance on public funds, despite his frequent criticism of government programs.
Last month, she called for greater transparency in federal spending, particularly in the defense sector, where Musk’s companies hold lucrative contracts.
“If you want to start with waste, start with Elon’s defense contracts at the Pentagon. In fact, we should start with transparency around defense contracts in general, which take up an enormous sum of public funds. But they won’t do that, will they?”
Musk dismissed AOC’s remarks with a sarcastic response on X:
“Do you actually write these, or am I replying to your intern?”

The dispute between Ocasio-Cortez and Musk has further polarized public opinion. Supporters of Musk argue that his cost-cutting measures are necessary to reduce government inefficiency and that his companies have contributed significantly to technological advancements. Critics, however, believe that his approach prioritizes corporate interests over public welfare, particularly when it comes to essential programs like Social Security.
Musk’s involvement in government decision-making continues to be a topic of debate, raising concerns about the influence of billionaires in shaping public policy. Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez and other progressive lawmakers are pushing for increased scrutiny of federal contracts and greater protection for social programs.