Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

New Breed Leader

(888 posts)
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 12:28 PM 17 hrs ago

Trump: "Social Security, Medicare are going to be gone"

https://www.newsweek.com/social-security-update-medicare-medicaid-warning-donald-trump-10915076


President Donald Trump warned Tuesday that if the Democrats don't approve funding, there are dangers to the future of Social Security and Medicare.

Trump said at a press conference that when he asked Democrats for feedback on the funding bills, one said, "It means death."

"There's nothing about death," Trump said. "Theirs is death because they're going to lose Medicaid, they're going to lose Social Security, they're going to lose Medicare, all of those things are going to be gone because the whole country would be bankrupt, and you're not going to have any kind of medical insurance."

Why It Matters
A point of contention leading to the government shutdown is the Democrats' refusal to accept a funding bill that would cut health care provisions, which many Republicans argue fund medical care for illegal aliens.


Social Security and Medicare represent vital support for tens of millions of Americans, especially retirees, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. As of late 2024, Social Security provided monthly benefits to about 53 million Americans—nearly 16 percent of the U.S. population. Medicare and Medicaid similarly underpin health insurance availability for seniors, low-income people, and many vulnerable groups.

Any potential reduction or administrative change to these programs has far-reaching implications for millions who rely on them for basic income or health care needs.



65 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trump: "Social Security, Medicare are going to be gone" (Original Post) New Breed Leader 17 hrs ago OP
You knew this Trump bluster was coming at some point. /nt bucolic_frolic 17 hrs ago #1
Dump let slip what he wants mvd 17 hrs ago #2
He let slip what Russell Vought wants. Which is to fully privatize healthcare thru Medicare Advantage. ancianita 16 hrs ago #21
Yup! yellow dahlia 11 hrs ago #58
Death. Maru Kitteh 16 hrs ago #24
At some point TSF heard that... returnee 12 hrs ago #55
Wow, Newsweek. You put out that AI Slop? AZJonnie 17 hrs ago #3
What a lousy article. choie 16 hrs ago #8
Newsweak. littlemissmartypants 16 hrs ago #14
Why do you say that? Why do you say it is "obvious"? Bernardo de La Paz 15 hrs ago #35
Because I've read enough AI generated content to know it when I see it? AZJonnie 15 hrs ago #39
Thank you for your response. I'm not convinced at all it is AI. Bernardo de La Paz 14 hrs ago #44
That "why it matters" thing, along with not reading more than the OP contents was why I thought that. AZJonnie 13 hrs ago #47
"Why it matters" & similar section headings are earmarks of Axios, predating AI, adopted by other news orgs . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz 13 hrs ago #48
Well then perhaps AI I've used is mimicking what Axios and others do because that's kinda how it works, yeah? AZJonnie 13 hrs ago #50
Viddy well, MAGAtry of a certain age EYESORE 9001 17 hrs ago #4
If he does any of this, I predict.... lastlib 17 hrs ago #5
He can't stop SS or MC, he would like to but he can't, it's not tied to the shutdown, he's just talking out his putin yaesu 17 hrs ago #6
You're making the dangerous assumption that he abides by the law synni 16 hrs ago #10
The correct way to state this is " he can't Whiskeytide 16 hrs ago #11
The moment BigMin28 17 hrs ago #7
MAGA didn't sign up for this Trumpy weakness leftstreet 16 hrs ago #9
Don't count on it. Aristus 16 hrs ago #13
A lot of them are going to die too. MLWR 13 hrs ago #46
A lot of them are fine with violence, as shown on Jan 6, 2021. They might be the ones to riot & give Trump 'cause' Attilatheblond 13 hrs ago #51
Predictable response from trump, just like our leaders will respond to his BS. Silent Type 16 hrs ago #12
Seeing as how Trump and MAGA are going to B.See 16 hrs ago #15
A lot of MAGAts use those earned benefits Farmer-Rick 16 hrs ago #16
He will kill millions to pay billionaires. live love laugh 16 hrs ago #17
Republican genocide. Mme. Defarge 16 hrs ago #25
He probably figures that will just open up a lot of properties he can raze and build on Attilatheblond 13 hrs ago #53
Pedo Trump warned Tuesday???? Farmer-Rick 16 hrs ago #18
You can't rely in pensions anymore Puppyjive 16 hrs ago #19
Thank you Karma13612 14 hrs ago #43
Someone inform stinky that SS and Medicare are funded by their own taxes Ray Bruns 16 hrs ago #20
Once again, he makes no sense at all LymphocyteLover 16 hrs ago #22
"If you don't let me take away healthcare, I'll take away your retirement, too!" tinrobot 16 hrs ago #23
So he thinks he can still hold the nation hostage... Trueblue Texan 15 hrs ago #26
Mark my words...kill Social Security and Republicans would be strung up by their heels. pecosbob 15 hrs ago #27
None of that makes an iota of sense. maxsolomon 15 hrs ago #28
"which many Republicans argue fund medical care for illegal aliens." thucythucy 15 hrs ago #29
Somewhere in the project 2025 manual KS Toronado 15 hrs ago #30
Trump literally just said the nuclear option can and should be used SSJVegeta 15 hrs ago #31
Why doesn't he just fucking die? Orrex 15 hrs ago #32
Unanswered prayers. nt Ilsa 9 hrs ago #61
Bankrupt, eh? But I thought we were rolling in VTderry 15 hrs ago #33
He doesn't care about political suicide bob4460 15 hrs ago #34
If Trump wants to see a nuclear option up close C_U_L8R 15 hrs ago #36
It's what he and Project 2025 always wanted to do all along. DON'T BACK DOWN, DEMOCRATS! Hekate 15 hrs ago #37
Alt Headline "Trump starts Senior citizen panic bronxiteforever 15 hrs ago #38
". . .the whole country would be bankrupt, and my dream will be fulfilled." sinkingfeeling 15 hrs ago #40
MAGA country is going to lose the most ChicagoTeamster 15 hrs ago #41
The mask is off, they are laying it out for all to see. Let's see how that works out. Paul Krugman pointed out that Martin68 14 hrs ago #42
He's overplaying his hand New Breed Leader 13 hrs ago #45
Exactly. He's lousy poker player. Totally TACO. Martin68 8 hrs ago #62
No, tmp, YOU are gonna be gone. elleng 13 hrs ago #49
They're really grasping for straws Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin 13 hrs ago #52
Do this, and (R)'s will never be elected again. n/t aggiesal 13 hrs ago #54
Evil fat orange imbecile wolfie001 11 hrs ago #56
The economy will collapse. Buy a vowel Donald. You're way out of your office. n/t Evolve Dammit 11 hrs ago #57
He is a sadist to the core. BigmanPigman 10 hrs ago #59
Hopefully, some day soon, the Trump Crime Family are going to be gone! red dog 1 9 hrs ago #60
He's full of shit. They are funded separately. n/t valleyrogue 8 hrs ago #63
No secret there misanthrope 8 hrs ago #64
Let me get this straight. ReRe 58 min ago #65

ancianita

(42,434 posts)
21. He let slip what Russell Vought wants. Which is to fully privatize healthcare thru Medicare Advantage.
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 01:31 PM
16 hrs ago

It's in Project 2025, which overall wants to financially take over the government run side of Medicare & Social Security, and turn those trillions over to corporate entities.

Social Security's combined Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) trust funds had approximately $2.7 trillion in assets at the end of 2024.

So once again they're robbing American taxpayers.

returnee

(714 posts)
55. At some point TSF heard that...
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 05:04 PM
12 hrs ago

…the root of the word “executive” is the same as the word “executioner.” He immediately thought that’s a job I want.

AZJonnie

(2,017 posts)
3. Wow, Newsweek. You put out that AI Slop?
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 12:37 PM
17 hrs ago

Jesus. Can't believe Newsweek put out something so freaking obviously AI.



EDIT: I should've read the whole article before I popped off instead of forming my opinion based only on the OP section presented. The beginning is very AI-looking, but as a whole the article is probably not.

Bernardo de La Paz

(59,938 posts)
35. Why do you say that? Why do you say it is "obvious"?
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 02:01 PM
15 hrs ago

What is obvious to you is not evident at all to me -- I'm not getting you.

Explain specifics to me like I'm an intelligent 16 year old. Did they use an em-dash?

AZJonnie

(2,017 posts)
39. Because I've read enough AI generated content to know it when I see it?
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 02:17 PM
15 hrs ago

And I know this is exactly how it 'talks'? It loves to throw in section headings like "Why It Matters", like I've seen AI create a section header using literally those exact 3 words, literally dozens of times, in response to my prompts.

I would give you 5-1 odds that nearly all (if not in fact all), of this was generated via a 4-6 sentence prompt given to AI instructing it to create an article about Trump comments.

So, maybe I misspoke when I said it's 'obvious'. I should have said it's obvious to me because I've used it a lot

Also when I say AI slop I don't mean it in the sense that it's inherently inaccurate, that is a separate matter.

ON EDIT, so I decided to fact-check myself using AI, and I probably should have read the whole thing instead of just the OP before I popped off:

About the article as a whole, from Claude AI

My expert judgment:
The article does exhibit several features common to AI-generated journalism (modular sections, rapid-fire facts, punchy quotes, some repetition). However, it is not a clear example of an article stitched together entirely from a short AI prompt. More likely, it uses newsroom content templates, SEO optimization, and perhaps some AI assistance for formulaic sections or headline drafting. I’d rate it as likely human-edited, possibly with some AI-aided segment or structural guidance, but not purely prompt-generated. Several editorial touches and original reporting details are evident.

So, your instinct is good—news content production increasingly mixes prompt, AI, and human workflow. But this one’s probably in the middle, rather than being “just a prompt with facts plugged in.”


Me:
If you just look at the first six paragraphs, the three before 'why it matters' and the three after, does your opinion change? I was only presented with that section when forming my opinion. How about that opening segment, taken alone?


Claude:
**Conclusion about the opening segment alone *
It absolutely reads as if it could have been authored from a short prompt or template, possibly with AI involved—especially if your friend saw only this portion. Without later details, deeper quotes, and broader context, an experienced eye would suspect AI prompt construction or at least heavy reliance on formulaic editorial tools. Your argument has a strong basis if limited to this segment. If you had the rest of the piece, it would become more ambiguous, but that **opening alone is much more “AI-ish”** in structure and tone.


Bernardo de La Paz

(59,938 posts)
44. Thank you for your response. I'm not convinced at all it is AI.
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 03:41 PM
14 hrs ago

A summary is always going to look kinda "AI" because AIs are optimized to produce summaries.

AZJonnie

(2,017 posts)
47. That "why it matters" thing, along with not reading more than the OP contents was why I thought that.
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 04:01 PM
13 hrs ago

That opening section, like AI said, IS very AI. I really have seen "Why It Matters" over and over in AI responses.

But I shouldn't have shot my mouth off without reading the whole thing.

Thanks for your correction on this matter, good sir

Bernardo de La Paz

(59,938 posts)
48. "Why it matters" & similar section headings are earmarks of Axios, predating AI, adopted by other news orgs . . . nt
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 04:10 PM
13 hrs ago

AZJonnie

(2,017 posts)
50. Well then perhaps AI I've used is mimicking what Axios and others do because that's kinda how it works, yeah?
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 04:16 PM
13 hrs ago

I guess I wasn't familiar with the back story. Again, your point is well made

lastlib

(26,997 posts)
5. If he does any of this, I predict....
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 12:40 PM
17 hrs ago

...his time on this earth may be very short. People will be dragging his fat stinking carcass OUT of OUR HOUSE.

yaesu

(8,681 posts)
6. He can't stop SS or MC, he would like to but he can't, it's not tied to the shutdown, he's just talking out his putin
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 12:41 PM
17 hrs ago

lovin ass.

synni

(613 posts)
10. You're making the dangerous assumption that he abides by the law
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 12:54 PM
16 hrs ago

He'll just write executive orders in crayon, and the Republicans won't do anything to stop him.

Whiskeytide

(4,612 posts)
11. The correct way to state this is " he can't
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 01:04 PM
16 hrs ago

legally stop SS or MC”. I agree that he can’t do it legally. But he can illegally direct those office to stop sending the checks and paying reimbursements. And he can fire any government employees who defy that direction until he finds a compliant Magat. That’s his administration’s M/O. We are being governed by a tribe of trolls.

I don’t really think he’ll do this because of the pushback he’d receive. But we have to stop thinking rules and laws and norms will restrain his agenda.

BigMin28

(1,791 posts)
7. The moment
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 12:47 PM
17 hrs ago

those earned benefits don't arrive, that is when there will be blood in the streets. The ripple effect would be catastrophic. No one would be left untouched.

leftstreet

(37,846 posts)
9. MAGA didn't sign up for this Trumpy weakness
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 12:52 PM
16 hrs ago

This whining and crying coming from the GOP about how the DeMocRatS have them by the short hairs is going to backfire.

Aristus

(71,212 posts)
13. Don't count on it.
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 01:10 PM
16 hrs ago

The Trumpsters will never give up on Trump. To do so would meaning admitted they were wrong. And they are morally, ethically, and intellectually incapable of that.

Attilatheblond

(7,646 posts)
51. A lot of them are fine with violence, as shown on Jan 6, 2021. They might be the ones to riot & give Trump 'cause'
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 04:21 PM
13 hrs ago

His puppet masters know if they keep pushing, eventually a certain portion of the population will respond with violence and that will be the magic door thru which the militarized forces for tyranny will come goose-stepping thru.

The idiots who never checked facts nor vetted their candidates are the fools most likely to kick off the final phase of democracy's downfall.

B.See

(7,205 posts)
15. Seeing as how Trump and MAGA are going to
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 01:18 PM
16 hrs ago

take A WRECKING BALL to both Social Security and Medicare ANYWAY....

But of course the loathsome fk would try to pin that on Democrats as well.

Farmer-Rick

(12,241 posts)
16. A lot of MAGAts use those earned benefits
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 01:22 PM
16 hrs ago

Including Congress and pedo Trump himself. I know, I know, pedo Trump says he doesn't claim them. But can you imagine pedo Trump walking away while money is left on the table? Yeah, he gets Social Security benefits, not sure if he even needs Medicare. He just lies about receiving Social Security as do many Republicon politicians and eligible billionaires.

Attilatheblond

(7,646 posts)
53. He probably figures that will just open up a lot of properties he can raze and build on
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 04:25 PM
13 hrs ago

The reality that he has little time left on this earth is the one thing he works very hard to pretend won't happen. Gotta keep 'building' and a big die off of the pesky un-rich means more land to put his name on.

Puppyjive

(875 posts)
19. You can't rely in pensions anymore
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 01:26 PM
16 hrs ago

So social security is an entitlement that the average American needs. He needs to quit throwing that around. It will be political suicide. The majority of Americans were not born with a silver spoon in their mouths. Low minimum wage also prevents people from investing in retirement accounts. Trump is a lunatic.

Karma13612

(4,855 posts)
43. Thank you
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 03:29 PM
14 hrs ago

As someone that made very little in income, every cent was subject to SS tax, and most of my employers put their donations to my retirement in the damn stock market.

After decades, I finally learned enuf to switch out of the roller coaster market into money market and CDs.

I will be destitute in no time if that mthrfckr touches my EARNED RETIREMENT BENEFIT. I darn well paid in and expect to continue to get my benefit IN FULL. And I pay $185/month for Medicare plus copays depending on the care received.

tinrobot

(11,844 posts)
23. "If you don't let me take away healthcare, I'll take away your retirement, too!"
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 01:35 PM
16 hrs ago

Seriously, this man is nothing but a hostage-taker.

You don't negotiate.

Trueblue Texan

(3,944 posts)
26. So he thinks he can still hold the nation hostage...
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 01:51 PM
15 hrs ago

Why don't we start talking about the REAL reason why the government is shut down and lets not shut up about it?

EPSTEIN! EPSTEIN! EPSTEIN!

maxsolomon

(37,724 posts)
28. None of that makes an iota of sense.
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 01:55 PM
15 hrs ago
when he asked Democrats for feedback on the funding bills, one said, "It means death."


Sure he did.

"There's nothing about death," Trump said. "Theirs is death because they're going to lose Medicaid, they're going to lose Social Security, they're going to lose Medicare, all of those things are going to be gone because the whole country would be bankrupt, and you're not going to have any kind of medical insurance."


Slippery slope word salad lies.

thucythucy

(9,001 posts)
29. "which many Republicans argue fund medical care for illegal aliens."
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 01:56 PM
15 hrs ago

What BS.

Here's how it should read: "...which Republicans repeatedly and shamelessly lie about, falsely claiming the bill would fund health care for undocumented aliens, when it does no such thing."

KS Toronado

(21,783 posts)
30. Somewhere in the project 2025 manual
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 01:56 PM
15 hrs ago

I'm betting it says to kill Social Security, Medicare, & Medicaid as we know them.
This was always a wet dream of the Koch brothers.

SSJVegeta

(1,869 posts)
31. Trump literally just said the nuclear option can and should be used
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 01:56 PM
15 hrs ago

What does he need democrats for?

VTderry

(58 posts)
33. Bankrupt, eh? But I thought we were rolling in
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 02:00 PM
15 hrs ago

billions from the tariffs??

Maybe someone needs to check the "shelf"???

bob4460

(366 posts)
34. He doesn't care about political suicide
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 02:00 PM
15 hrs ago

He knows he is done in the political Arena so he's going to make everybody else go through as much pain as possible. And if Congress can't stop him nobody can.

C_U_L8R

(48,393 posts)
36. If Trump wants to see a nuclear option up close
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 02:01 PM
15 hrs ago

Proceed with robbing the retirements of 62 million Americans. There could be atomic torches and pitchforks shoved up his ass.

bronxiteforever

(10,883 posts)
38. Alt Headline "Trump starts Senior citizen panic
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 02:07 PM
15 hrs ago

as he threatens to cut off their Social Security and Medicare. Seniors begin to pull savings out of banks and the stock market to obtain cash to meet bills.Stock Market may tank.”
Our party needs to fire remarks that reference a GOP market crash just like Trump did to Biden and Harris and Obama.

Does anyone trust Thune and Johnson to defend SS or Medicare? They are intentionally starving children and families at Thanksgiving? SS and Medicare seem vulnerable and the Supremes under Robert’s will sit on their entitled asses until the whole system blows up.

ChicagoTeamster

(89 posts)
41. MAGA country is going to lose the most
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 02:45 PM
15 hrs ago

Trump thinks that Medicaid and SNAP are all African Americans and "illegals". There are so many white MAGAs in the southern and western United States who rely on these programs and "illegals" don't get these benefits. His base is going to be screwed. No SS income and No SNAP and no Medicaid or Medicare means their hospitals, pharmacies, and WalMarts are going to close. Even people in those areas with jobs and insurance are going to be without medical care and grocery stores.

Martin68

(26,582 posts)
42. The mask is off, they are laying it out for all to see. Let's see how that works out. Paul Krugman pointed out that
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 02:59 PM
14 hrs ago

the legislation enabling reduction of SNAP benefits and Medicare and Medicaid subsidies was a originally designed to kick in after the mid-terms to give the GOP a last chance to solidify their majority. But Trump is not sticking to the game plan because he can't help himself. He's drunk with power and sadistic fantasies.

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(130,358 posts)
52. They're really grasping for straws
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 04:25 PM
13 hrs ago

Moses Johnson the other day tried to blame New York mayoral candidate Mamdani for Congress being shut down.

red dog 1

(32,056 posts)
60. Hopefully, some day soon, the Trump Crime Family are going to be gone!
Fri Oct 31, 2025, 08:15 PM
9 hrs ago

(If the evil bastard doesn't start WW3 by then)

ReRe

(12,148 posts)
65. Let me get this straight.
Sat Nov 1, 2025, 04:52 AM
58 min ago

They want to destroy America as we know it, re wipe out the old folks, middle & lower middle class, the working poor and the actual poor & the homeless and all their children, you know, all of us "little people", What is their end vision? How do they think life's going to be without all of us? WTF do they want? Can anyone explain that to me?

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Trump: "Social Security, ...