The US Social Security Administration (SSA) is set to transition all public communications to the X social media platform in the wake of substantial workforce reductions advised by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), overseen by X proprietor Elon Musk.
According to unnamed sources who conversed with WIRED, the governmental body will cease its usual practice of distributing letters and press statements to inform the public about changes, instead depending on X as its main method of external communication.
This alteration coincides with the SSA’s reduction of its workforce from 57,000 personnel to approximately 50,000, aimed at minimizing expenses and enhancing operational efficiency. The agency released this announcement in February 2025:
“SSA has functioned with a regional framework comprising 10 offices, which is no longer feasible. The agency will consolidate the regional framework across all components down to four regions. The organizational configuration at Headquarters is also antiquated and inefficient.”
Elon Musk, the head of DOGE, has charged the Social Security system with distributing billions of dollars in improper payments, a claim supported by the White House. Musk’s remarks ignited considerable discussion regarding the future of the retirement program and sustainable governmental expenditure.
Source: Elon Musk
Related: Musk states he discovered ‘magic money computers’ creating money ‘from nothing’
DOGE targets US government entities in efficiency initiative
The Department of Government Efficiency is an informal government body assigned with identifying and reducing purportedly wasteful public expenditure through budgetary and personnel cutbacks.
In March, DOGE initiated an investigation into the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and secured entry to its internal systems, which includes data repositories.
Officials from the SEC indicated their willingness to cooperate with DOGE and stated that the regulatory body would collaborate closely with it to provide any pertinent information as requested.
Musk and Trump converse on reducing public expenditure and eliminating government waste. Source: The White House
DOGE has also suggested reducing the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) staff by 20%. This workforce reduction could affect as many as 6,800 IRS employees and may be executed by May 15 — precisely one month after the 2024 federal taxes are due.
Proposals presented by Musk and DOGE for significant spending reductions are not confined to budget cuts and diminishing the federal workforce.
DOGE is reportedly considering utilizing blockchain technology to limit public spending by placing the complete government budget on-chain to foster accountability and transparency.
Magazine: Elon Musk’s strategy to operate the government on blockchain faces significant challenges
