Rogan Debunks Musk's Social Security Claims: "Not a Vampire Conspiracy"

Joe Rogan, the popular podcast host, has fact-checked and debunked claims made by his "favorite billionaire," Elon Musk, regarding the Social Security system. Musk had suggested that improbably old people, including those over 150 years old, were collecting Social Security payments, implying widespread fraud. Rogan, however, dismissed these claims as unfounded and not a "vampire conspiracy."

Rogan pointed out that while the Social Security Administration's (SSA) database, known as the Numident, does contain records of people born before 1920 who do not have death information on record, only a small fraction of these individuals are actually receiving benefits. An audit published in 2023 found that out of 18.9 million people born before 1920 without death information, only 44,000 were receiving Social Security payments.

Moreover, an earlier audit from 2015 determined that while 6.5 million people in the Numident database were found to be above the age of 112, payments were only sent to 266 beneficiaries, most of whom records showed were likely actually under the age of 112. However, that audit also found thousands of potentially fraudulent uses of Social Security numbers connected to improbably old people.

Musk's claims, which were made during a news conference at the White House and later shared on his X account, have been widely criticized by experts and the public. The SSA has not found evidence to support Musk's allegations of widespread fraud in the Social Security system.

Rogan's fact-checking and debunking of Musk's claims serve as a reminder of the importance of verifying information, especially when it comes from high-profile figures. By addressing the issue directly and providing accurate information, Rogan helps to prevent the spread of misinformation and maintain public trust in the Social Security system.

In conclusion, Musk's claims about improbably old people collecting Social Security benefits have been debunked by Joe Rogan, who pointed out that the SSA's data does not support the billionaire's allegations. Rogan's fact-checking serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information and maintaining public trust in the Social Security system.