U.S. Representative Shontel Brown (D-OH) is raising serious concerns about what she describes as an orchestrated effort to dismantle Social Security, warning Americans that their hard-earned benefits are at risk.
In a video shared to Instagram, Brown, who represents Ohio’s Eleventh Congressional District, claimed that President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk are pushing a false narrative of widespread fraud to justify cuts and layoffs.
“Donald Trump and Elon Musk are lying about Social Security fraud. Why? Because they want to cut your benefits, slow down services, and lay off workers,” Brown said. “Ultimately, they want to break Social Security and privatize it.”
According to Brown, the real facts don’t support the fraud claims.
She pointed out that less than 1% of Social Security payments are incorrect and that there is no widespread fraud—despite what she says is being pushed as justification for slashing benefits and closing offices.
The congresswoman also expressed outrage at recent moves to shift Social Security communication to X (formerly Twitter)—a platform still owned by Musk.
“Who suffers? Our seniors and disabled Americans,” she said, explaining that these changes primarily impact the most vulnerable by making access to assistance more difficult.
Of particular concern to Brown is a reported warning from Martin O’Malley, who leads the Social Security Administration under the Biden administration, that the entire system could collapse within 90 days if drastic measures aren’t taken to preserve it.
“Social Security is something you’ve earned. It’s yours,” she stated. “And no one—not Donald Trump, not Elon Musk—has the right to take it away.”
Brown also stated that while the topic hasn’t dominated headlines, Democrats are actively fighting to protect Social Security behind the scenes.
She urged Americans to stay vocal, stay informed, and not fall for what she described as “privatization propaganda.”
