Michelle King, the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), resigned over the weekend following pressure from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access private records of Americans.
King had led the SSA for 30 years, overseeing benefits for 73 million retirees and disabled individuals. In her place, President Trump appointed Leland Dudek, who previously ran the SSA’s anti-fraud office, as acting commissioner. Trump has also nominated Frank Bisignano, CEO of Fiserv, to lead the SSA full-time, pending Senate confirmation.
Musk’s DOGE initiative aims to cut government spending and reduce bureaucracy. This has led to clashes, especially with the SSA, as Musk has claimed that the administration is rife with fraud, including payments to deceased individuals. Despite these challenges, Trump’s approval ratings have remained strong, with recent polls showing a net positive approval of his performance.
