Rep. John Larson (D-CT) went all out during a fiery House Ways and Means Committee hearing on March 12, criticizing Republican lawmakers for blocking Elon Musk from testifying about his role in shaping Social Security policy.
Larson, the top Democrat on the House's Social Security subcommittee, accused Musk and President Donald Trump's administration of pushing for a plan to privatize the program while avoiding public accountability.
“Where's Elon Musk? I'm sure he's a genius and is a very credible person because of the wealth he's accumulated, but that does not put him above the law or the responsibility to come before this committee and this Congress,” Larson said.
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Privatization Push Under Fire
Larson has spent years advocating for Social Security's expansion, but recent moves by the Trump administration have raised alarms among Democrats. Musk, a Trump ally, has repeatedly called Social Security the “biggest Ponzi scheme of all time” and claimed without evidence that officials had uncovered hundreds of millions of dollars in fraud.
In recent weeks, the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Musk, has moved to cut thousands of jobs at the Social Security Administration and shut down field offices nationwide—including in Connecticut. The Washington Post reported that under pressure from DOGE, the agency is even considering eliminating phone services, a critical resource for millions of Americans who rely on Social Security benefits.
Larson argued that these actions are designed to weaken the program and set the stage for privatization. “Because he's out to privatize Social Security,” Larson said when answering his own question about Musk's absence from the hearing.
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GOP Faces Backlash Over Hearing
Democrats, including Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), have called on the SSA to explain its decision to cut staff and services.
“As one of the nation's most popular and effective programs, Social Security provides a foundation of income on which workers can build for their retirement, as well as valuable insurance protection against unexpected hardship,” they wrote in a letter to SSA Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek. “By slashing staff and eliminating field offices, fewer Americans will be able to seek assistance during pivotal life events and risk causing further hardship to those in dire circumstances.”
Republicans have defended Musk, arguing that his claims about fraud deserve further investigation. Trump himself has also made conflicting statements, echoing Musk's fraud allegations while also promising to “protect” Social Security. Critics, however, see the administration's moves as part of a broader attempt to weaken public trust in the program and justify future cuts.
With Republicans controlling the House and Senate, Musk and Trump's influence over Social Security policy remains a major concern for Democrats. Larson and his colleagues are demanding that the administration turn over documents related to its plans for the program. But for now, one major question remains unanswered:
“If these plans and all the fraud and abuse he's found are so eminent, why isn't he here explaining it?” Larson asked during the hearing. So far, Musk has yet to respond.
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