The media is once again twisting President Donald Trump’s plan to clean up Washington — this time accusing him of “defunding disabled seniors.” But what’s really happening is a major reform to protect Social Security, stop waste and fraud, and make sure that America’s seniors and truly disabled workers get the benefits they deserve.
A Broken System in Need of Fixing
The Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) has been running on rules that haven’t changed since the 1970s — still listing jobs like nut sorter and telephone clerk to decide if someone can work. President Trump’s team says it’s time to modernize the system and use 21st-century job data, ensuring fairness for everyone.
For decades, bureaucrats have treated “age” as a disability factor — meaning people over 50 could qualify for full disability simply because of age. Now, Trump officials are considering raising that threshold to 60 or eliminating it altogether.
The goal? To reward those who truly can’t work, not those gaming the system.
“Our aim is to preserve Social Security for future generations by keeping the program efficient and honest,” an SSA spokesperson said.
Protecting Seniors — Not Washington Bureaucrats
Conservatives have long warned that Social Security’s trust fund is running out, while fraud and loopholes drain billions each year. President Trump’s team believes strong oversight and modern rules will protect both seniors and taxpayers.
Russell Vought, who led the Office of Management and Budget, emphasized that the old rules allow too many able-bodied adults to collect checks meant for the disabled. “We’re modernizing a system that’s decades out of date,” he said.
Mark Warshawsky, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, added that today’s economy offers countless desk and remote jobs. “The world of work has changed,” he said. “It’s time our benefits system caught up.”
Democrats Cry ‘Cruelty,’ But Ignore the Facts
Democrats like Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) immediately accused the Trump administration of trying to “cut” Social Security. But the truth is the opposite — the plan saves the program by focusing benefits on those who earned them and need them most.
While the left shouts “cuts,” the reforms simply stop double-dipping and restore pre-Biden rules that rewarded responsibility over dependency.
Keeping the Promise to America’s Seniors
More than 15 million Americans currently receive disability benefits — but many others wait years for approval because of system backlogs and fraud. Trump’s modernization plan will help direct funds faster to the truly disabled, elderly widows, and veterans who have been left behind.
The Social Security Administration says it will soon release the full proposal for public comment — allowing seniors, families, and advocates to have their voices heard.
At its core, the plan reflects the same promise President Trump made in 2016 and again in 2024:
“We will protect Social Security. We will defend our seniors. And we will keep America strong.”
The Bottom Line
Despite the media hysteria, President Trump isn’t defunding seniors — he’s saving Social Security from the bureaucrats and bad actors who’ve been draining it for years.
His reforms would secure the program for future retirees, stop fraud, and make sure benefits go to those who earned them the right way.
In short: Trump isn’t cutting — he’s correcting.