Callers to a town hall meeting with Republican U.S. Representative Bill Huizenga in Michigan repeatedly asked the Michigan lawmaker about potential budget changes to Social Security. A retired West Michigan coach and educator was one of them; he and his wife, who are also disabled, have had trouble getting the compensation they are due.
The guy, who went by the name Michael from Allegan, expressed his concern that the government’s efforts to reduce spending, including office closures and significant layoffs, would make the situation much more difficult.
Throughout his life, he worked. “Yet, nobody will answer our calls, so we won’t receive any assistance.”
Throughout the conference, Huizenga emphasized that Social Security will remain unaffected.
Similar interactions have taken place in other American electoral battlegrounds recently, such as Michigan, where people are worried about the popular program that pays out monthly payments to certain children and retirees due to massive budget cuts. After Musk’s remarks on Social Security and his capacity to make changes, Republicans have been frantically trying to reassure people and downplay his views. Democrats have been accused by Republicans of “fear-mongering” in relation to this issue.
The matter has obviously struck a chord. Huizenga was asked thirteen questions, nine of which had some connection to Social Security. A survey conducted before to the commencement of the telephone town hall by first-term Republican Representative Tom Barrett revealed that Social Security and Medicare were the primary concerns of those present in a neighboring mid-Michigan district that was one of the most difficult U.S. House elections last year.
Rep. Chuck Edwards was asked about his plans to “ensure the protection of our Social Security benefits” during a heated in-person town hall meeting in Asheville, North Carolina. The approximately 300 individuals in the room went into a frenzy of clapping as soon as the question was read.
Trump has stated again and over again that he “will not cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits,” yet his administration has already started laying off more than 10% of the Social Security Administration’s staff and closing dozens of locations throughout the country.
Social Security has been referred to by Musk—the wealthiest man in the world and a key adviser to Trump—as “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.” In an interview with Fox Business Network, he suggested that it might be a major focus of his larger plan to reduce the size of the federal government, stating, “that’s the big one to eliminate” and that “most of the federal spending is entitlements.”
According to the White House, Musk was just mentioning fraud.
Democrats, who are having trouble expressing a cohesive front against Trump, perceive a chance. Reducing funding for Social Security would have a negative reception, according to polls, even among Trump’s supporters. A January AP-NORC survey found that while almost 20% of Republicans felt the government was spending “too much” on Social Security, the vast majority of Republicans felt the opposite.
Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin cautioned that Trump “could very well come after your retirement” in her response to Trump’s joint congressional speech that took place earlier this month.
Attending Edwards’ town hall in North Carolina on Thursday, Leslie Boyd was prompted to do so due to the possibility of budget cuts to vital government programs and services. According to Boyd, who spoke before the event, Edwards should have “the courage to stand up for that” since those programs should be enhanced rather than eliminated.
The 72-year-old Boyd claimed that she is dependent on Social Security but has some money.
“Throughout my entire career, I have contributed to that,” Boyd stated. As early as the age of sixteen, I began working. I want what’s mine, and I paid for it.
In response to a question on the agenda item, Edwards started by stating, “President Trump has made it clear” before being cut off by boos. After that, he changed gears and started talking about how he felt about the show.
I will not cast a ballot to eliminate your Social Security. Edwards began to add, “I’m not looking to,” but the yelling cut him off. “The American people have been promised that,” he went on to say. Those people should definitely get their hands on the benefits; they’ve worked hard their whole lives and paid into that.
Some of the audience members insisted that Edwards confront Musk by shouting at him.
As he began Monday night’s telephone town hall in his district in central Michigan, Barrett addressed the deluge of complaints his office had been getting regarding DOGE. Programs are “temporarily paused and under review,” according to Barrett, who emphasized that Musk is only an adviser.
He emphasized that Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid were not included. Once again, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are not going to be considered. Don’t forget that DOGE is only offering suggestions.
Despite the lack of proof, Republican leaders have warned legislators against holding town hall meetings in person, claiming that hired activists were interfering with the proceedings.
A devoted Trump supporter from Michigan, Rep. Lisa McClain, said that the disturbances were “organized” by Democratic contributors.
Social Security remained a major issue even in highly controlled telephone town halls, where questions are frequently pre-screened by congressional personnel.
A caller called Beverly shared her concerns with McClain on Monday: “I’m really worried about that being cut, I guess.” The caller mentioned that her disabled kid relies on Medicaid.
Allow me to alleviate your concerns. Representing a predominantly Republican district north of Detroit, McClain admonished his constituents not to pay attention to the Democrats using scare tactics. “Medicaid will not be cut.”
A constituent from Berrien County, Michigan, called Val, expressed her displeasure at the town hall meeting with Huizenga and cautioned that recipients may “slip through the cracks” as a result of office closures.
The ability to pay for housing, medical care, and food will be taken away from them “suddenly,” she said.
