I am investigating the above claim.
Investigating Elon Musk’s Claim
The claim, including a video, is in this Post on X.
Democrats did give MILLIONS of illegals Social Security Numbers – They were REGISTERING TO VOTE – Elon Musk has confirmation THEY DID VOTE – Democrats qualified illegals for MAX SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS – They enrolled in Medicaid with their new Social Security Numbers See graph in video:
Since Musk is a proven liar I am skeptical of anything he says.
However, proven liar does not imply he is lying this time. And perhaps he even has some of the key numbers correct, but the overall story is false, either on purpose because it sounds like something, or by accident
Let’s do a fact check to see if there is possibly a valid explanation for the numbers Musk is posting.
Social Security Fact Check
Fact #1 – Noncitizens authorized to work in the United can get a SSN.
We have a way for noncitizens to apply for Social Security number (SSN) cards as part of the immigration process. When you apply for your immigrant visa with the U.S. Department of State, you can also apply for an SSN card at the same time.
Helping An Immigrant?
Know someone who can benefit from this process? Learn how you can help them.
Social Security Fact Check #2
Noncitizens authorized to work in the United States by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can get an SSN.
Please consider Who Can Request a Social Security Number
All U.S. citizens can request a Social Security number. Some noncitizens may be able to request a number if they work or attend school, or if they have a valid nonwork reason.
People who may need a new Social Security number include:
Musk says millions of “illegals” got Social Security numbers. The audience in the video let out an audible gasp.
Is it even true?
Registering to Vote Fact Check
Did illegals register to vote or were they automatically registered to vote?
It matters.
Fact #3 Twenty-Five States Have Automatic Registration when someone gets a drivers license.
I disagree with automatic registration. We need new national laws to prevent this. But this is a known item Musk did not uncover anything.
The remedy is obvious.
Medicaid Fact Check
Fact #4 Healthcare.Gov describes Coverage for Lawfully Present Immigrants.
Lawfully present immigrants can get Marketplace coverage and may qualify for premium tax credits and other savings on Marketplace plans.
The term “lawfully present” includes immigrants who have:
- “Qualified non-citizen” immigration status (see details below).
- Humanitarian statuses or circumstances (including Temporary Protected Status, Special Juvenile Status, asylum applicants, Convention Against Torture, victims of trafficking).
- Valid non-immigrant visas.
- Legal status conferred by other laws (temporary resident status, LIFE Act, Family Unity individuals). Get a full list of immigration statuses eligible for Marketplace coverage.
Lawfully Present Immigrants and Marketplace Savings
If you’re a lawfully present immigrant, you can get Marketplace coverage. You may qualify for lower costs on monthly premiums and extra savings on out-of-pocket costs based on your income.
The federal poverty level (FPL)
is a measure of income used to decide your eligibility for certain programs and benefits. This could include savings on Marketplace health insurance, and Medicaid and CHIP coverage.
Immigrants and Medicaid & CHIP
If you’re a “qualified non-citizen,” you’re generally eligible for coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), if you meet state income and residency rules.
To get Medicaid and CHIP coverage, many qualified non-citizens (such as many Lawful Permanent Residents, also known as LPRs or green card holders) have a 5-year waiting period. This means they must wait 5 years after getting “qualified” immigration status before they can get Medicaid and CHIP coverage. There are exceptions. For example, refugees, asylees, or LPRs who used to be refugees or asylees don’t have to wait 5 years. Qualified non-citizens who haven’t yet had their status for 5 years generally qualify for Marketplace coverage, if otherwise eligible.
The term “qualified non-citizen” includes:
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR/Green Card Holder)
- Asylees
- Refugees
- Cuban/Haitian entrants
- Paroled into the U.S. for at least one year
- Conditional entrant granted before 1980
- Battered non-citizens, spouses, children, or parents
- Victims of trafficking and his or her spouse, child, sibling, or parent or individuals with a pending application for a victim of trafficking visa
- Granted withholding of deportation
- Member of a federally recognized Indian tribe or American Indian born in Canada
- Citizens of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau who are living in one of the U.S. states or territories (referred to as Compact of Free Association or COFA migrants)
Did Any Noncitizens Vote?
I don’t know, but any is too many.
So, I am a strong proponent of valid IDs, and no automatic registration.
DOGE Is Mostly Hype
Reasonable people can disagree with the above processes. But the Medicaid and Social Security rules are posted on official government sites.
Thus, there are reasonable and valid explanations for the numbers Musk posted.
Related Posts
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The Musk Watch DOGE Tracker (MWDT) reveals Musk has overstated verified DOGE savings by at least $96.4 billion, 1,121 percent.
On February 17, 2025, I noted DOGE Makes Huge Mistake Firing Nuclear Workers, Now Seeks to Rehire Them
When you fire people without understanding what they even do, you make big mistakes.
No one wants to discuss why approximately 350 employees were fired only to rescind all but 50.
I would want to sweep this under the rug too.
Yesterday, I commented Politically Clueless DOGE Disrupts the National Parks
After the fiasco with nuclear workers, one might have thought DOGE would think about needs before more mass firings.
And February 18, 2025, I noted DOGE is Careless in Operation and Reckless in Reporting
Let’s discuss viral nonsense on alleged Social Security fraud and a simple explanation.
After decades of absurd claims regarding full self driving, accidentally firing the wrong people, and nonsensical claims about millions on people over the age of 100 collecting Social Security (see above link), I do not believe a damn thing this careless clown (or purposeful liar) says.
I further caution, that nearly everything Musk has uncovered has been a known issue.
However, I am in favor of fixing the issues noted above.
Finally, to the extent Musk puts a spotlight on issues, fine, but I a tired of his needless lies, exaggerations, and reckless processes.