On the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act, President Trump made headlines with a proclamation aimed at revitalizing the program. In a speech from the Oval Office, he promised to “Make Social Security Great Again.” Central to his efforts is the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which introduces a temporary tax deduction benefiting seniors aged 65 and older, exempting many from taxes on their Social Security benefits from 2025 to 2028.
Trump highlighted substantial changes aimed at cleaning up the Social Security database. “Last month, I signed one big, beautiful bill and allowed no tax on Social Security for our great seniors,” he declared. He emphasized efforts to remove individuals from the system who do not belong there, citing the removal of 275,000 illegal aliens as a significant achievement. The president contended many of these individuals were previously receiving checks they did not legally qualify for.
The figures Trump presented were striking. He noted, “We cleared 12.4 million names listed in the Social Security database over 120 years of age.” This statement underscores an alarming reality: many individuals receiving benefits were falsely documented as living. He continued, highlighting how the system has seen cases of payments being issued to those allegedly over 160 years old. “Somebody’s getting those payments,” he warned, pointing to his administration’s commitment to address this fraught situation.
Beyond restoring integrity to the Social Security system, the administration reported significant enhancements in customer service. Improvements include handling 70% more calls with a dramatic reduction in average hold times—from 30 minutes to just six. This progress reflects a commitment to address long-standing issues in service accessibility as the agency adapts technology to better meet the needs of Americans.
Moreover, the Social Security Administration now has full staffing, with employees back in the office five days a week for the first time in several years. This change is aimed at reducing wait times at field offices, where average customer wait times have dropped by 23%. The combination of these measures appears to have made a noticeable impact on service delivery and efficiency.
In summary, President Trump’s remarks underscore a determination to fortify Social Security for seniors while also tackling fraud. By removing improper entries from the database and enhancing service efficiency, the administration is signaling a new direction designed to strengthen trust in a program vital to many Americans.
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