Topline
The White House deleted a tweet Wednesday crediting President Joe Biden for a forthcoming increase in monthly Social Security payments for seniors, following widespread backlash that led to a fact-check noting that the increase was automatic, which brand-new Twitter CEO Elon Musk hailed as an “awesome” feature on the platform.
President Joe Biden speaks (and displays his impressive dentition) during an event in the East Room … [+]
Key Facts
The White House account claimed, “Seniors are getting the biggest increase in their Social Security checks in ten years through President Biden’s leadership,” but a note was later added pointing out that the increase is due to a law President Richard Nixon signed in 1972 tying Social Security payments to the consumer price index, which tracks inflation.
The fact-check was the result of Twitter’s “community notes feature,” Musk tweeted Wednesday morning, which adds labels and fact-checks to misleading tweets receiving “widespread public attention.”
The Social Security Administration recently announced an 8.7% increase in checks starting in January as part of its annual cost-of-living adjustment, which will benefit more than 70 million people who receive Social Security payments.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes.
Crucial Quote
“Our goal is to make Twitter the most accurate source of information on Earth, without regard to political affiliation,” Musk tweeted in response to a screenshot of the White House’s post. Twitter introduced its “Birdwatch” community fact-checking program in January 2021.
Key Background
The White House claim comes as Biden ramps up a last-minute campaign pitch to older voters, warning that Republicans are threatening the future of Social Security and Medicare. Biden slammed a months-old proposal from Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) while speaking at an event in south Florida on Tuesday, noting that the senator’s plan would “sunset” all federal programs, including Social Security, after five years, requiring congressional approval to be renewed. Republican leaders have vowed they will not sunset Social Security, and Scott says he has no intention of cutting benefits for seniors. Biden’s pivot to Social Security concerns come as polls suggest a Republican wave is likely in Tuesday’s midterm elections, which could see the GOP winning control of both the House and Senate. Republican candidates across the country have blamed Biden and Democrats for high rates of inflation, despite it being a global problem.
Tangent
Blasting Republicans over supposed threats to Social Security has long been a campaign tactic for Democrats, especially after former President George W. Bush pushed for a “partial privatization” of Social Security during his presidency. Democrats have occasionally suggested during the 2022 campaign that similar GOP plans still exist, even though they do not. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), for instance, falsely claimed in September that “Republicans plan to end Social Security and Medicare if they take back the Senate.”
Further Reading
Social Security Benefits To Jump 8.7% In 2023, As Top Tax Hits $19,865 (Forbes)
Biden Warns GOP Would Slash Social Security, Medicare, in Pitch to Older Voters (Wall Street Journal)
The Case For A Republican Sweep On Election Night (FiveThirtyEight)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/11/02/white-house-deletes-misleading-tweet-giving-biden-credit-for-social-security-check-raise/