Senate floor speech that’s turning heads across the nation, Senator Bernie Sanders just dropped a bombshell: Donald Trump’s latest budget bill could make it harder for millions of Americans to access their Social Security benefits. As Trump allies push for sweeping government cuts under the guise of “efficiency,” Sanders is sounding the alarm — and he’s not holding back.
The Vermont senator, known for his no-nonsense progressive stance, called the bill an “absurd budget” that sacrifices programs working-class families rely on in favor of massive tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. Sanders warned that while billionaires like Elon Musk are being handed tax breaks, everyday Americans — especially seniors and people with disabilities — are being left out in the cold.
“Maybe worst of all,” Sanders declared, “is the fact that Musk and his billionaire friends are laying off thousands of workers at the Social Security Administration, shutting down offices across the country, and making it harder for people to claim the benefits they’ve earned.”
This warning comes as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Musk, pushes deep cuts across federal agencies. Trump and his allies claim they’re rooting out fraud and waste. But Sanders — and a growing number of Democrats — say what’s really happening is an assault on the most popular and relied-upon government program in America.
Social Security sends monthly checks to about 70 million Americans. For many, it’s a lifeline. And while Trump insists he’s not touching the program, critics say this new bill tells a different story.
The budget, which narrowly passed the Senate in a 51–48 vote early Saturday morning, includes billions in tax cuts and a $5 trillion increase to the debt ceiling. It also funnels more funding into the military and border security — priorities that Democrats argue come at the direct expense of social safety nets.
Republicans, meanwhile, are defending the move. Senate Majority Leader John Thune took to X (formerly Twitter), blasting Democrats for what he called “outrage over letting Americans keep more of their own money.” But Sanders says this isn’t about tax relief — it’s about billionaires getting richer while the middle and working classes get squeezed.
The debate is far from over. With the Trump administration now poised to draft a sweeping tax and spending bill, progressives are gearing up for a fight. Programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security — the backbone of the American safety net — are in the spotlight.
As Sanders continues his “Fighting Oligarchy Tour,” rallying supporters across the country, one thing is clear: the battle over who benefits from America’s budget has only just begun.
