The 2024 Republican field is threatening to put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block and gut essential programs that working families and seniors rely on. It’s just another example of their failed MAGAnomics agenda that only benefits the ultra-wealthy while leaving everyday Americans behind. 

MAGA Republicans running for president not only have long records of fighting to cut Social Security and Medicare — they are actively campaigning on ending these programs as we know them. 

CNN: “Former President Donald Trump once backed raising the retirement age to 70 and called for privatizing Social Security which he called a ‘Ponzi scheme’ – two positions he has hammered Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for supporting as a former member of Congress and congressional candidate. … but a CNN KFile review found Trump himself also once praised Ryan on Medicare, along with the 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney, without praising their specific policy proposal, which called for similar changes to Ryan’s plan.”

CNN: “A CNN KFile review of comments from DeSantis’ 2012 congressional campaign found he repeatedly said he supported plans to replace Medicare with a system in which the government paid for partial costs of private plans or a traditional Medicare plan. In one interview with a local newspaper, DeSantis said he supported ‘the same thing’ for Social Security, citing the need for ‘market forces’ to restructure the program.”

Associated Press: “Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is proposing changes to entitlement programs for younger generations, opening the door to potential cuts to Social Security and Medicare if elected.”

Washington Post: “Other potential entrants in the Republican primary, such as former secretary of state Mike Pompeo, Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) and South Dakota Gov. Kristi L. Noem, also voted for Ryan’s [proposal to cut and privatize Medicare] when they were in Congress.”

Christie: “We’re going to have to reduce Medicare benefits. We’re going to have to reduce Medicaid benefits. We’re going to have to raise the Social Security age. We’re going to have to do these things. We’re going to have to cut all types of other government programs that some people in this room might like.’”

The 2024 GOP field praised new House speaker MAGA Mike Johnson – a right-wing extremist who, as a member and former chair of the ultra-conservative Republican Study Committee, pushed proposals to slash Social Security and Medicare. 

Semafor: “These days, the RSC is best known around Washington as a GOP policy shop responsible for crafting proposals to balance the federal budget, often through changes and cuts to Social Security and Medicare.” 

“The Conservative Playbook” by the RSC, led by Chairman Mike Johnson in the 116th Congress: “With our entitlement programs facing dire financial futures and more Americans receiving welfare benefits than ever before, we cannot afford to waste money simply because the federal bureaucracy writes checks to the wrong people or for the wrong amount.” 

Johnson: “We have to get back to [entitlement reform] as the number one priority.”

Trump: “I wanted to congratulate Mike Johnson, who will be a great speaker of the House, and we were very happy to help. I’ve known him for a long time.”

Haley: “Congratulations Speaker Johnson. Time to get to work.”

DeSantis: “I like Mike Johnson, but that really I think showed the American people that they’re just in disarray up there, that there’s just a bunch of chaos that’s reigning supreme.”

Scott: “Mike is a man who has faith in God and faith in America. I know he’ll be the strong, conservative leader we need in Congress.”

Hutchinson: “Congratulations to new Speaker @RepMikeJohnson!”