On the 90th anniversary of Social Security, President Donald Trump outlined his administration's crackdown on fraud within the system.

Trump emphasized the removal of illegal immigrants and other fraudulent beneficiaries from Social Security, marking significant administrative strides, as the Washington Times reports.

At the commemorative event, Trump recalled the origins of the Social Security Act, signed into law in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He celebrated this milestone by discussing his administration's efforts to ensure the program’s integrity and sustainability.

Addressing fraud, enhancing service

He specifically noted the removal of nearly 275,000 illegal immigrants who were formerly receiving Social Security benefits, asserting this action was crucial to preserving the fund’s longevity. Trump claimed these measures were necessary to stop what he described as rampant misuse of the system under previous administrations.

Moreover, Trump touched upon significant improvements in customer service within the Social Security system. Long wait times have seen a reduction, allowing beneficiaries to receive services and responses more promptly.

The administration has cleared historical inaccuracies in the beneficiary database, including removing 12.4 million names of individuals over 120 years old, a move intended to prevent potential fraud and misuse.

Critiques, reforms come to light

In his speech, Trump criticized the Democrats and specifically targeted former President Joseph R. Biden for what he claimed was the deterioration of Social Security. According to Trump, the preceding four years had seen an unprecedented decline in the system's efficiency and reliability.

“Under Biden, Social Security went down like nobody’s ever seen. It deteriorated. There’s never been anything like it. The four years of Biden were very, very destructive. It couldn’t have gone on much longer,” Trump stated.

He also spoke about deportation efforts as a means to curb Social Security fraud further. Trump highlighted his administration's aggressive stance on removing non-citizens involved in fraudulent activities.

Legislative efforts, technological advances

The "One Big Beautiful Bill" introduced by Trump’s administration was touted as a critical enhancement. This legislation purportedly bolsters the Social Security system without imposing additional taxes on it, an aspect Trump was proud to discuss.

Frank Bisignano, the Social Security commissioner, echoed Trump's sentiments about administrative improvements, stating, “We are serving more people and delivering more than was ever delivered before in a manner with the highest possible quality, and we’ve just begun.”

The White House spokesperson, Liz Huston, also defended Trump's policies and actions. She argued that the president not only protected but fortified Social Security through advanced technological implementations and policy adjustments.

Diverse reactions to new policies

Democrats have offered a critical view of these changes, arguing that reductions in the Social Security Administration’s workforce and these new policies could harm the program's quality and accessibility. They stress that these actions could potentially jeopardize the welfare of nearly 72 million Americans relying on Social Security.

Despite opposition critiques, Huston remains firm in her support: “While Democrats flail and peddle lies about Social Security, President Trump is demonstrating his unbreakable commitment to protecting and strengthening this vital program for the nearly 72 million Americans who benefit from it.”

As Trump concluded his speech, he reasserted the significance of Social Security to American seniors, emphasizing the administration's commitment to their dignity and peace of mind in retirement. “Almost 60 million American seniors rely on Social Security for peace of mind and a life of dignity and retirement,” he affirmed, pledging continued enhancements to ensure the program’s strength and reliability for future generations.