Fact Check: Elon Musk's involvement with DOGE led to nearly half of the senior executives at the Social Security Administration leaving their jobs in 2023.

Fact Check: "Elon Musk's involvement with DOGE led to nearly half of the senior executives at the Social Security Administration leaving their jobs in 2023."

What We Know

The claim suggests that Elon Musk's involvement with DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) resulted in a significant turnover of senior executives at the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 2023. Reports indicate that under pressure from Musk's team, nearly half of the SSA's 140 senior executives, along with thousands of employees, departed from their positions due to disagreements and concerns over the agency's direction and management (Inside DOGE's Chaotic Takeover of Social Security).

In early 2025, the SSA announced plans for "massive reorganizations," which included significant workforce reductions, potentially affecting up to 50% of its staff (Murray, Colleagues Blast Trump and Musk's Plans to Gut ...). This restructuring was framed within the context of broader criticisms of Musk's approach to the agency, which some lawmakers characterized as detrimental to the provision of Social Security services (Inside DOGE's Chaotic Takeover of Social Security).

Analysis

The assertion that Musk's involvement led to nearly half of the senior executives leaving is partially supported by reports indicating a significant turnover at the SSA. However, the timeline and context are crucial. The claim does not specify that this turnover occurred solely in 2023; rather, it appears to have unfolded over a longer period, particularly in early 2025, as Musk's influence and the restructuring plans became more pronounced (Inside DOGE's Chaotic Takeover of Social Security).

Moreover, while the reports of executive departures are credible, they stem from a complex interplay of factors, including internal disagreements about agency management and external pressures from the Trump administration and Musk's DOGE. The narrative surrounding these departures is also influenced by political motivations, as seen in Senator Patty Murray's remarks, which emphasize the perceived negative impact of Musk's actions on the SSA (Murray, Colleagues Blast Trump and Musk's Plans to Gut ...).

The reliability of the sources varies; while the New York Times is generally regarded as a reputable outlet, the framing of events may reflect a particular political bias, especially given the contentious nature of the topic (Inside DOGE's Chaotic Takeover of Social Security). Other sources, such as Newsweek and Axios, provide additional context but may not delve as deeply into the implications of Musk's actions (How DOGE Will Impact Social Security Now that Elon Musk ..., The Elon Musk DOGE legacy that just won't die).

Conclusion

The claim that "Elon Musk's involvement with DOGE led to nearly half of the senior executives at the Social Security Administration leaving their jobs in 2023" is False. While there is evidence of significant turnover among SSA executives, this turnover did not occur exclusively in 2023 and is tied to a broader context of agency restructuring and political pressures rather than Musk's direct influence alone. The timing and causality implied in the claim do not hold up under scrutiny.

Fact Check: Elon Musk's involvement with DOGE led to nearly half of the senior executives at the Social Security Administration leaving their jobs in 2023.