President Trump reshapes Social Security Administration leadership amid database controversy, appointing an anti-fraud expert as acting commissioner and nominating Fiserv CEO Frank Bisignano for the top role.
Key Takeaways
- Trump appoints SSA career anti-fraud expert as acting commissioner and nominates Frank Bisignano as commissioner.
- SSA database shows 18.9 million people aged 100 or older, vastly exceeding U.S. Census estimates.
- Concerns arise over potential misuse of sensitive SSA data by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
- Experts suggest database inconsistencies may be due to programming issues rather than widespread fraud.
Trump’s Strategic Moves at the Social Security Administration
In a decisive action, President Donald Trump has initiated significant changes in the leadership of the Social Security Administration (SSA). The White House announced the appointment of a career SSA anti-fraud expert as the acting commissioner, replacing Michelle King, whose biography was swiftly removed from the SSA website. This move comes as part of Trump’s broader strategy to enhance efficiency within the agency.
Simultaneously, Trump has put forward Frank Bisignano, the CEO of Fiserv, as his nominee for the position of SSA commissioner. The White House expects a smooth confirmation process in the Republican-controlled Senate. These leadership changes are occurring against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of the SSA’s database management and concerns over potential fraud.
Database Discrepancies Raise Eyebrows
The SSA is currently grappling with significant concerns regarding its database accuracy. A report from the SSA inspector general revealed a staggering 18.9 million individuals aged 100 or older listed in the database. This figure sharply contrasts with U.S. Census estimates, which suggest only about 86,000 centenarians living in the country.
“The agency will be led by a career Social Security anti-fraud expert as the acting commissioner.” – White House spokesman Harrison Fields
This discrepancy has fueled discussions about potential fraud within the system. Elon Musk, a prominent figure in tech and social media, highlighted that millions of people over 120 years old were listed as eligible for Social Security benefits, despite the oldest living person being 116 years old. These claims have sparked intense debate and calls for a thorough investigation of the SSA’s data management practices.
Trump nominates Fiserv's Bisignano for Social Security Administration https://t.co/bi4D1X3AdO
— National Mortgage News (@NatMortgageNews) December 11, 2024
Concerns Over Data Access and Privacy
The leadership changes at the SSA have also raised concerns about data privacy and access. Nancy Altman from Social Security Works claims that Michelle King’s departure was related to her resistance to giving the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to the SSA’s Enterprise Data Warehouse. This has led to worries about the potential misuse of sensitive taxpayer information.
“She was standing in the way and they moved her out of the way. They put someone in who presumably they thought would cooperate with them and give them the keys to all our personal data.” – Nancy Altman
The situation has become more complex with reports that DOGE has already accessed Treasury payment systems and is attempting to gain access to IRS databases. This trend of high-ranking officials leaving due to concerns over DOGE’s access to private information has heightened the stakes in the ongoing debate about data security and government efficiency.
Experts Weigh In on Database Inconsistencies
While some have interpreted the database discrepancies as evidence of widespread fraud, experts suggest that the issue may be more complex. The alleged fraud was actually a known filing error reported by the Inspector General’s Office in 2023. This report found that SSA databases were not always updated upon a person’s death, but this did not necessarily indicate fraudulent activity.
“This is absurd, corrosive nonsense” – James Surowiecki
Some experts have proposed that a programming quirk in COBOL, an older programming language still used in many government systems, might explain the erroneous age data. The SSA has policies in place to terminate benefits for individuals aged 115 or older under certain conditions, suggesting that the agency is aware of and attempting to address these data inconsistencies.
Sources:
- Trump Replaces Social Security Administration Head Amid DOGE Scrutiny | The Epoch Times
- Social Security Administration acting commissioner steps down – CBS News
- Trump Press Secretary Hit With Embarrassing Fact-Check on Fraud Claim
- Trump and Musk claim tens of millions of dead people are getting Social Security checks—but it’s not true
