I promised you that I’d spend the next eighteen months talking to Americans face-to-face about what’s really in the budget bill. Not the headlines. Not the political spin. Just the truth.
If that’s something you care about, make sure you're subscribed. I’ll be unpacking every corner of this bill — from Social Security to food assistance, healthcare to energy — and I want you in the loop as we break this all down together.
Tonight, I want to zero in on something I’ve been hearing more and more — a claim that the new budget bill eliminates taxes on Social Security benefits. Maybe you’ve seen the viral posts. Maybe you got the email from the Social Security Administration. Maybe a neighbor mentioned it. Someone mentioned it to me today.
Let me be very clear: that claim is false.
Yes, the SSA — the U.S. Social Security Administration — did send out an email suggesting that under President Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill,” most Americans receiving Social Security will no longer have to pay federal income taxes on their benefits.
That message was misleading. And frankly, it’s dangerous.
What’s Actually in the Bill?
Let’s break it down.
The bill in question — passed through the reconciliation process to avoid a filibuster — contains sweeping changes. Among them:
Cuts to food assistance programs
Rollbacks of clean energy investments
Loopholes and giveaways for the wealthy
An increase to the national debt by trillions
And yes, a limited tax deduction for some seniors
Specifically, the bill offers a temporary tax deduction — up to $6,000 for individuals over 65 and $12,000 for married couples. But here’s the fine print: this benefit phases out for seniors earning more than $75,000 individually or $150,000 as a couple. It does not eliminate federal income taxes on Social Security.
That’s a far cry from what the SSA’s email implies.
A Dangerous Precedent
Now, let’s talk about the email itself — because that’s not business as usual.
For decades, the SSA has operated as a nonpartisan agency focused on serving the public — not political agendas. But this email reads more like a campaign mailer than a government notice. Frank Bisignano, the Trump-appointed commissioner of the SSA, even went so far as to call it a “historic step forward” that reaffirms Trump’s promise to protect Social Security.
Here’s the problem: the bill doesn’t deliver on that promise. Not even close.
Why This Matters
Millions of Americans rely on Social Security. They deserve clarity and honesty, not spin. This bill — and the campaign of misinformation surrounding it — undermines public trust at a time when we can least afford it.
We should be debating ideas. We should be arguing policy. But we should not be twisting the facts or weaponizing public institutions to mislead people who are just trying to get by.
That’s why I’m doing this work. To have real conversations. To break through the noise. And to make sure Americans know what’s actually happening with their benefits, their taxes, and their future.
So if you hear someone say, “Trump eliminated taxes on Social Security,” ask them: “Are you sure?” Then point them here. The truth still matters — and we’ve got a lot more to talk about.
This work only matters if it reaches the people it’s meant to serve. So share it. Subscribe. Join the conversation. Because when the facts get fuzzy, clarity is power — and we need more of it right now.
Stay tuned. Stay informed.
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