Seattle Times today's feature story -
This is from the Oval Office, the photographer kneeling, shooting upward, Trump's desk corner out of focus, Elon in focus. Elon did not expressly say, "coming after Social Security payments because I want a tax break to continue for billionaires," but he did say, "I have never seen a 150 year old," implying some SS payments are not being terminated at death. That is easy to say, but intent to squeeze old Trump voter's Social Security is implied, at least as how I read Elon. And more so, to really squeeze Harris voters. Others may reach other implications, but a below post has Elon's Oval Office Press Conference linked. Listen and decide, good guy or unelected super wealthy pirate against non-billionaires. With his dark Great Again ballcap, wanting to move back to the post-Civil War robber baron days. Even if Trump had other times in mind in flooding the nation with red caps, Elon likes the turn of the century robber barons Teddy Roosevelt railed against. (They were all white.)
Perhaps Elon is well intentioned. Perhaps not. But he sure does skew the wealth curve, and seems to look at Social Security while ignoring Pentagon waste. That's the bona fides of his approach. Reminds one of Reagan's "welfare queen" theme as an excuse to go after poor blacks, so that now it will be "social security queens" or some such theme to sell pulling the rug out from under the needy.
The story is covered widely, e.g., this search. A Feb. 13, USA Today screen capture:
So, rural Minnesota food stamp recipient Trump voters, do you want a prick into your privacy rights regarding your dealings with the federal government? Even the merest pin prick into such things - should it remain protected and private? Aid is given where needed, and need can be a privacy worry in any community, particularly in small towns where people know each other.
Your burdens and needs are none of DOGE's business, you're not defrauding anybody, you are scraping by as best you can while millionaires and billionaires hunt your people. Is that just? Is it weaponizing things against the needy? Is it what you expected in November when you went to the polling place?
Should you beg Elon to quit? You are not Trump's enemy. You voted for him and are not going to be on his list. But Elon and his people seem to be keeping a list too. And for now it looks as if the needy may make Elon's list, wrongly or rightly - because his people are inexperienced and can err.
And what if there is a data error, and a month's assistance is missed. It could pinch. Having to fix things, to fill out more forms.
And yes, scare tactics are coarse. But scare tactics were used to get your vote.