In a recent revelation that has stunned many, Elon Musk shared alarming details about fraudulent unemployment claims that have been draining taxpayer money.
Musk, who oversees the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), expressed his disbelief after reviewing the numbers, noting that it took him several attempts to fully grasp the extent of the fraud.
Investigation into Fraudulent Claims by DOGE
The Department of Government Efficiency, tasked with investigating wasteful government spending, presented shocking findings from an initial survey of unemployment insurance claims dating back to 2020.
According to their report, an astonishing number of fraudulent claims had been made by individuals who were either deceased, not yet born, or even listed with future birth dates.
Among the most bizarre findings, DOGE discovered that 24,500 claims were filed by people over the age of 115, resulting in $59 million in benefits.
Even more shocking, 28,000 claims were filed by children under the age of five, costing taxpayers $254 million.
Furthermore, a disturbing 9,700 claims were made by individuals with birth dates more than 15 years in the future, amounting to $69 million in benefits.
In one particularly egregious case, someone with a birth date set in 2154 claimed $41,000.
Musk, who shared the findings on his X account, admitted that he was so shocked by the results that it took him multiple reads to fully comprehend the scale of the fraud.
“Your tax dollars were going to pay fraudulent unemployment claims for fake people born in the future,” Musk remarked.
“This is so crazy that I had to read it several times before it sank in.”
Public Outrage and Calls for Accountability
Musk’s post quickly sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with users expressing their shock and anger at the fraudulent claims. Many called for harsh penalties for those responsible for these outrageous claims, with some even suggesting that jail time is the only way to hold them accountable.
“Never in my life have I seen such greed and conniving,” one person commented.
Another user was horrified by the discovery that $59 million had been paid out to people supposedly 115 years old, adding, “How many years have we been getting ripped off like this?”
These findings come on the heels of an incident where DOGE’s anti-fraud efforts caused a major disruption to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) online services, preventing vulnerable populations, including the elderly and low-income families, from accessing essential services and payments.
The Ongoing Battle Against Fraud and the SSA’s Failures
The ongoing issues with the SSA and its failure to properly vet claims have come under intense scrutiny.
Musk has long criticized the SSA for inefficiencies, pointing out that millions of deceased Americans are still listed as eligible for social security benefits.
Earlier this year, he posted a shocking chart revealing that more than 20 million people are listed in the Social Security database as being over the age of 100, including several individuals purportedly in their 130s, 140s, and even 150s.
Musk jokingly suggested that these individuals might be vampires collecting Social Security.
The situation has raised serious questions about the accuracy of government databases and the extent of fraud within the system.
While it is unclear how much of the money distributed by the SSA is due to fraudulent claims, DOGE has pledged to investigate further and take action to correct these issues.
Musk’s Popularity Takes a Hit Amid Controversies
Despite his efforts to expose fraud and advocate for government efficiency, Musk’s approval rating has taken a significant dive.
According to a recent national survey, only 38 percent of Americans view Musk favorably, with 60 percent holding an unfavorable opinion of him.
His handling of DOGE, in particular, has drawn criticism, with 58 percent of respondents disapproving of his performance in managing the department.
Musk’s close ties to former President Donald Trump have also been a source of controversy.
The two have been seen together at various events, including Cabinet meetings and Trump rallies, further fueling public debate about Musk’s role in government affairs and his influence on public policy.
As Musk continues to tackle fraud and inefficiency in government programs, his popularity remains a topic of intense public debate, with many questioning his methods and motivations.