Data analyst Leland Dudek was suspected of sharing unauthorized access to information with the U.S. DOGE Service. Now he’s the acting Social Security commissioner.

President Donald Trump incorrectly interpreted data shared by Elon Musk when he misleadingly claimed on Feb. 18 that “millions and millions of people over 100 years old” may be receiving improper benefits from Social Security.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has refuted claims made by Elon Musk and President Donald Trump that millions of dead people are receiving Social Security benefits. Experts say Musk and Trump have misinterpreted SSA data.

Elon Musk’s team has descended on an already understaffed Social Security Administration, which now faces further workforce cuts and closures of vital local offices. The consequences could be significant for millions of the most vulnerable Americans.

Amazingly, Leland was fired by Social Security Administration upper management for helping @DOGE find taxpayer savings. Can you believe that??” Musk posted Wednesday night on X, his social media platform.

DOGE has limited "read only" access to data and will not disrupt or delay the disbursement of payments to beneficiaries, SSA Acting Commissioner Dudek said.

President Trump has linked two budget items, and that may be a good idea. Trump wants to extend his 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and provide some other tax breaks, and we need to fix Social Security. The link between tax cuts and Social Security exists because one of Trump’s new tax-cutting proposals would exempt Social Security benefits from taxation under the federal income tax.