'Those Who Scream Are The Ones Stealing' – Commerce Secretary Says Only 'Fraudsters' Will Complain About Missed Social Security Checks

The conversation around Social Security funding and fraud continues to gain attention following comments made by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during an appearance on the "All-In Podcast."  Lutnick suggested that the loudest complaints over missed Social Security checks will come from those committing fraud rather than from legitimate beneficiaries.

Lutnick’s Comments on Social Security Complaints

During the podcast, Lutnick proposed that a simple way to identify fraudsters would be to stop payments and see who reacts the loudest.

"My mother-in-law, who's 94, wouldn't call and complain," Lutnick said. "She'd think something got messed up and she'll get it next month. A fraudster always makes the loudest noise, screaming, yelling and complaining."

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Lutnick claimed that those who are genuinely entitled to benefits would likely remain patient and trusting of the government, even if a payment were delayed. He claimed that "fraudsters" — particularly those who are receiving improper payments — would be the ones to immediately protest.

"Anybody who’s been in the payment system knows the easiest way to find the fraudster is to stop payments and listen, because whoever screams is the one stealing," Lutnick added.

Michael Steele Fires Back

Lutnick's remarks didn't sit well with MSNBC host and former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele, who criticized the billionaire businessman for being out of touch with the financial realities that many seniors face.

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Steele pointed out on his MSNBC show, "The Weekend," that Lutnick, as a billionaire, would be able to support his family members if a Social Security check was missed — a luxury many Americans don't have.

"So your mama would call you, she would call you, and guess what you would do? You'd write her a check," Steele said. "But what about the mother who doesn't have someone that they can call to put money in that bank account for a month, you insensitive lug? How dare you!"

Steele called Lutnick's comments "arrogant" and challenged him to engage with communities where missed payments would have immediate and severe consequences.

"This is the arrogance, right now, America," Steele said. "They're looking at you in the eye and saying, ‘You can miss your payments. You'll be OK. You can feed your family with no money. You can clothe your family with no money for a month. You can do that.'"

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Broader Debate Over Social Security and Fraud

Lutnick's remarks come at a time when Social Security funding is under increased scrutiny. Tech billionaire Elon Musk recently called Social Security "the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time" and suggested there could be hundreds of billions of dollars in waste within the program.

Lutnick argued that eliminating fraud and waste — not cutting benefits — should be the priority. He criticized proposals to raise the retirement age as a way to improve solvency for the program.

"I would never allow, if I can stand it, to not pay somebody who retired at 65 their benefits," Lutnick said. "I find it disgusting when some politician says that to save Social Security, we need to move [the retirement age] to 70."

President Donald Trump, who tapped Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, has vowed not to cut Social Security benefits. However, the conversation around fraud and potential cuts has prompted pushback from advocates and policy experts who argue that the amount of fraud in the system is often exaggerated.

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Protecting Benefits While Reducing Waste?

Lutnick maintained that the U.S. is financially strong enough to uphold Social Security without raising the retirement age or cutting benefits for legitimate recipients.

"We're the richest country on earth," Lutnick said. "We don’t have to take one penny from someone that deserves Social Security…What we have to do is stop sending money to someone who is not hurt, who’s on disability for 50 years – it's ridiculous – and they have another job."

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