Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat, has stirred debate with allegations that figures within President Donald Trump’s administration, including tech magnate Elon Musk, are intentionally trying to destabilize the Social Security Administration (SSA) to set the stage for privatization.

During an appearance on MSNBC’s “PoliticsNation” hosted by Al Sharpton, Whitehouse used vivid terms to describe Musk and other Trump advisors, labeling them “doggy boys” and “Musk rats.” He suggested they have been strategically placed to weaken the federal agency.

“And the danger to Social Security, I think, is very real. You know, watch that carefully,” Whitehouse said during the broadcast. “Trump lies. And one of his lies is that he won’t touch Social Security. But he sent in Musk and those doggy boys, the Musk rats, to wreck up stuff in Social Security.”

Sharpton opened a conversation by asking about voter discontent with the current administration. He noted heightened attendance at community forums, especially in Republican areas, driven by worries over widespread government layoffs and service disruptions. He then questioned whether there was a noticeable trend of voter dissatisfaction with Trump’s second term.

Whitehouse agreed, referencing polling data and the Republicans’ struggles to hold town halls due to constituent anger as indicators of broad public discontent.

He elaborated on what he called a calculated effort to disrupt Social Security benefits with the aim of privatization. Whitehouse cited former commissioner Governor O’Malley’s warnings that intentional actions could interfere with Social Security payments. He further alleged a plan to create a crisis and then offer a solution involving private equity and big data companies managing the system.

The senator’s comments come amid increasing worries about changes at the SSA under the guidance of Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is tasked with reducing government expenditures.

According to Medicare Rights, the Trump administration, through Musk’s DOGE, has targeted SSA field offices, employees, and telephone services, leading to office closures, staff reductions, and limited service access. These actions have reportedly resulted in backlogs, long wait times, and reduced in-person availability, complicating access to benefits like Medicare, retirement, and disability.

Representative John Larson (D-CT) recently issued a statement criticizing what he claimed was a leaked internal memo detailing a “Trump-Musk plan” to undermine SSA operations. According to Larson, the memo suggests that the administration is requiring seniors and disabled Americans to enroll online or at field offices, rather than over the phone, creating inefficiencies as part of an effort to privatize the system.

“The memo also indicates that the administration has already begun implementing a plan to consolidate regional offices and cut staff at the SSA,” Larson’s statement read, adding that “Democrats will continue to fight to protect Social Security from the administration’s efforts.”

For his part, Musk has publicly expressed skepticism about Social Security, telling Fox Business that there is between $500 billion to $700 billion in waste that needs to be eliminated from the program. He has suggested that federal entitlement programs like Social Security are a “Ponzi scheme” and a “mechanism” for Democrats to attract and retain immigrants.

However, Musk’s estimates of fraud far exceed figures from watchdogs, and the Social Security Administration has rejected claims about widespread payments to deceased individuals. While President Trump has pledged to defend Social Security, Musk’s remarks have raised concerns among politicians from both parties as he aims to reduce the size of the federal government.

The controversy has led to protests nationwide targeting Musk and his businesses. In New York City, about 250 activists assembled outside a Tesla showroom, holding signs such as “Block Fascism Now” and “Musk Must Go,” chanting “Elon Musk is not elected! Democracy must be protected!” Five protesters were detained for disorderly conduct, and one was arrested for resisting arrest, obstruction, and violating local law.

Similar demonstrations have taken place in other U.S. cities, as well as in London, Portugal, Malaysia, and Iceland. Police reports indicate there have been more than a dozen acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations since President Trump’s inauguration.

AFSCME retirees and workers recently protested outside a federal court in Baltimore, Maryland, where a hearing was held regarding Musk’s DOGE gaining access to the SSA’s personal and sensitive information on millions of Americans. Protesters, including retired Maryland corrections officer Shandala Richburg and former nurse Agnes Watkins, voiced concerns that Musk and DOGE have no right to access their private data and threaten their Social Security benefits.

The White House has not officially responded to Senator Whitehouse’s comments, and the Social Security Administration continues to operate amid the ongoing controversy and protests.