Debate Fact Check Reveals Trump’s Lies about Social Security

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump had their first debate of the 2024 election Thursday night, and Social Security was a major topic. 

very wealthy begin to pay their fair share. Biden’s plan would not only extend the solvency of the Social Security system, but also allow benefits to be increased. 

Trump then falsely claimed Biden is “going to destroy Social Security,” but in fact it was Trump who proposed a budget to cut both Social Security and Medicare every single year he was in office.

“Former President Trump lied about his record, because the truth is he tried to defund Social Security,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance. “Trump has said ‘we’re going to look’ at cutting Social Security and Medicare if he gets a second term, and his advisers are even pushing him to cut Social Security’s dedicated funding stream.”

Older Voters Want Candidates Who will Protect Their Social Security, but Neither Party Has a Strong Advantage on the Issue So Far

Social Security protection is a top voting issue for those over 50, but the key voting bloc is not overwhelmingly supporting one party over another on the issue, according to a new poll. Eighty percent of older voters said the health of Social Security is either extremely important or very important in determining their vote.

President Biden favors expanding and increasing Social Security, but Donald Trump does not. Biden wants the wealthiest Americans to pay taxes on the same percent of their income as the rest of the country in order to expand benefits, while Trump wants to lower taxes for the wealthiest Americans and slash Social Security benefits.

Many pundits believe it is unlikely that either Biden or Trump can win the 2024 election without winning the senior vote, but right now older voters are split on who to support: Democrats currently have a three-point advantage over Republicans on the issue.

“Social Security is clearly one the most important issues for seniors,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “President Biden has a plan that will expand Social Security benefits without raising taxes on working class Americans, while Donald Trump wants to gut Social Security and take away the benefits seniors have worked their entire lives for.”

Medicare Announces Lower Prices for 64 Prescription Drugs Thanks to Biden’s Medicare Rebate Program 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Wednesday that 64 prescription drugs will be available at lower costs for some Medicare enrollees. The prices of these prescriptions will be lowered because their drug companies raised their prices faster than the rate of inflation.

The drugs will have lower costs through Medicare Part B from July 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024. Over 750,000 Medicare beneficiaries use these dozens of drugs — which treat conditions 

such as osteoporosis, cancer, and infections — annually.

The Medicare Rebate Program, created through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), allows Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for seniors, and can save Medicare enrollees between $1 and $4,593 per day. 

Before the IRA, seniors were victims of Big Pharma’s predatory price inflation. “Everyone should be able to afford their medication, and the Inflation Reduction Act continues to deliver on this goal to improve affordability,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “Discouraging drug companies from price increases above the rate of inflation is a key part of this effort, and CMS continues to implement the law to bring savings to people with Medicare.” 

“President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act puts money back into the pockets of seniors,” added Joseph Peters, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “He knows lowering prescription drug costs is a top issue for Americans, and he continues to work tirelessly to make lower health care costs a reality.”

Hotel Deadline Extended for Northeast Regional Meeting

Registration is still open for the Northeast regional meeting in Washington, D.C., July 30-31, 2024, and hotel registration has been extended to July 8th. Strengthen your skills as a retiree activist! Make sure you’re ready to help elect pro-retiree candidates this November and win the fight for retirement security. Click here to register.

All meeting attendees will participate in four interactive workshops with fellow retiree activists. For more information, please contact Joni Jones by calling 202-637-5377 or e-mail [email protected]. 

Connecticut Alliance Holds its Convention

Executive Director Fiesta traveled to New Britain, Connecticut for the Connecticut Alliance’s convention on Monday. He spoke about the senior vote in this year’s elections and landmark achievements of the Biden-Harris administration, including passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which is already leading to lower drug prices for older Americans at the pharmacy counter and in the doctor’s offices.

left to right: Rep. Jahana Hayes, state President Marafino and Executive Director Fiesta

Elected to office at the convention were Bette Marafino, President; Win Heimer, Executive Vice President; Joelle Fishman, Recording Secretary; Don Gladding, Corresponding Secretary; and Flo Martin, Treasurer.

Members of the Alliance endorsed Rep. Jahana Hayes, who spoke with the attendees in person, for reelection to the U.S. House from Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District.

"With Republicans like George Logan looking to slash Social Security and Medicare, affordability is on the minds of so many seniors across the 5th District. Our seniors deserve to age with dignity, and I have advocated every day to ensure they have access to things like Social Security, Medicare, food, housing and support services," said Congresswoman Hayes. "This endorsement by the Alliance for Retired Americans means so much to me. Having been raised by my grandmother, I fully understand the real impact of policy on the lives of seniors. I will continue to protect the programs that help our seniors thrive.”

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