Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick ignited controversy this week after suggesting that only “fraudsters” would complain about missing a Social Security check. Speaking on the billionaire-hosted All In podcast, Lutnick argued that most recipients wouldn’t mind if the government simply skipped a payment.
“Let’s say Social Security didn’t send out their checks this month,” Lutnick said. “My mother-in-law, who’s 94, she wouldn’t call and complain. 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.”
His remarks drew swift backlash, given that over 70 million Americans rely on Social Security, with nearly 15% of elderly women and 12% of elderly men depending on it for at least 90% of their income. A Commerce Department spokesperson later issued a statement saying Lutnick remains committed to protecting Social Security.
As public outrage mounted, tensions escalated within the Social Security Administration. Maryland District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander reprimanded acting agency head Lee Dudek for allegedly threatening to shut down the agency’s operations after she issued a restraining order limiting his access to sensitive data.
“Almost every member of Congress has staff dedicated to handling Social Security complaints,” said AARP Vice President Bill Sweeney, countering Lutnick’s claim that seniors would quietly accept missing payments.
Source: Axios