The US Social Security Administration will transition all of its public communication to the X platform in response to extensive workforce reductions suggested by the Department of Government Efficiency, overseen by the owner of X.
As per sources wishing to remain anonymous, the agency will discontinue its traditional letters and press releases that typically inform the public about changes and will instead utilize X as its main communication channel.
This initiative coincides with the SSA’s decision to reduce its staff from 57,000 to approximately 50,000 employees to cut costs and enhance operational effectiveness. In a statement from February 2025, the agency announced:
“The SSA has functioned with a regional framework comprising 10 offices, which has become unsustainable. The agency will condense its regional presence across all departments to four regions. The organizational setup at Headquarters is also outdated and inefficient.”
The head of the Department of Government Efficiency has criticized the Social Security system for allegedly issuing billions in erroneous payments, a sentiment echoed by high-level officials. His remarks have ignited considerable debate regarding the future of the retirement program and sustainable government expenditures.
Image Source: Elon Musk
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Efficiency Initiatives Targeting US Government Agencies
The Department of Government Efficiency is an informal body aimed at identifying and reducing what it considers wasteful government expenditures through budget cuts and workforce reductions.
In March, the Department began its investigation into the Securities and Exchange Commission and was granted access to its internal systems, including data repositories.
Officials from the SEC indicated their willingness to cooperate and mentioned that they would collaborate closely with the department to provide any requested information.
Leaders discuss strategies for reducing public spending and eliminating government inefficiencies. Source: The White House
The Department has also suggested a 20% reduction in the workforce of the Internal Revenue Service, potentially affecting up to 6,800 employees and targeting implementation by May 15—just a month after the 2024 federal tax deadline.
The proposals from Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency to implement substantial spending cuts extend beyond mere budget reductions and workforce downsizing.
They are reportedly investigating the use of blockchain technology to encourage accountability and transparency by placing the entire government budget on the blockchain.
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