action programs of government intended to promote the welfare of the population through assistance measures
Federal judge in Baltimore temporarily limits DOGE access to Social Security data
apnews.com/article/doge-social-security-data-access-42f4a7639169bd70c9541901bad7e0fe
Key Facts: Judge Limits DOGE's Access to Social Security Data
Apr 18 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: apnews.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: apnews.com
- A federal judge has restricted DOGE's access to Social Security data to protect citizens' privacy.
- DOGE staff can only use anonymized data if they undergo training and background checks.
- The judge questioned the need for unrestricted access to sensitive personal information, emphasizing the privacy risks for Social Security recipients.
- The ruling may be appealed to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has previously favored the Trump administration.
"That intrusion causes an objectively reasonable unease."— Alethea Anne Swift, an attorney with the legal services group Democracy Forward, which is behind the lawsuit.
Biden says in first speech since leaving White House that the extent of Trump’s damage is ‘breathtaking’
english.elpais.com/usa/2025-04-16/biden-says-in-first-speech-since-leaving-white-house-that-the-extent-of-trumps-damage-is-breathtaking.html
Key Facts: Biden Struggles for Speaking Engagements at $300K Rate
Apr 17 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: nypost.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: nypost.com
- Former President Joe Biden is facing difficulties securing speaking engagements, despite a $300,000 fee per appearance.
- Some former aides are advocating for him to step back from public life, especially after a recent speech where he used the term 'colored kids.'
- He is represented by Creative Artists Agency, which may lack the necessary connections for lucrative speaking opportunities.
- Biden's past speaking successes might be overshadowed by declining interest and the negative perception of his political career.
It felt like seeing someone you care about start to regress. We just wanted him to enjoy retirement like other presidents — not go out like this.— A former White House official reflecting on Biden's recent public address and the hope for his retirement.
“Taking advantage of the state at all levels”: report exposes Germany's true social parasites
fr.de/wirtschaft/deutschland-wahre-sozialschmarotzer-nehmen-den-staat-auf-allen-ebenen-steuern-zr-93691262.html
Biden slams Trump on social security in his first speech since leaving White House
abc.net.au/news/2025-04-16/biden-slams-trump-on-social-security-in-first-speech/105185740
Key Facts: Biden Defends Social Security Amid Trump Cuts
Apr 16 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: reuters.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: reuters.com
- Joe Biden delivered his first significant speech since leaving office, criticizing staff cuts at the Social Security Administration made by the Trump administration.
- He described Social Security as a sacred promise, warning that the cuts could lead to longer wait times and disruptions in benefits.
- Biden also raised concerns about Trump's team's access to personal data of Americans and the agency's technical issues, including system crashes.
- Some Democrats worry that Biden's re-emergence might distract from the political fallout Trump faces over economic issues.
"This new administration has done so much damage and so much destruction."— Joe Biden speaks about the impact of the Trump administration on the Social Security Administration.
DOGE Is Building a Master Database to Surveil and Track Immigrants: DOGE is knitting together data from the Department of Homeland Security ...
wired.com/story/doge-collecting-immigrant-data-surveil-track/
Social Security Administration ‘will be using X to communicate’ moving forward: The Social Security Administration (SSA) unveiled Thursday that it would use the ...
thehill.com/homenews/administration/5245029-social-security-administration-social-platform-x-releases/
Judge further limits DOGE's access to Social Security data: The Social Security database contains sensitive personal information about every American.
axios.com/2025/04/18/judge-doge-elon-musk-social-security-access
“Co-Presidents” Trump and Musk Attack Social Security: By Amy Goodman & Denis Moynihan
Republican politicians know that to promote the elimination or even the ...
democracynow.org/2025/4/17/co_presidents_trump_and_musk_attack
The Social Security Administration Is Gutting Regional Staff and Shifting All Public Communications to X
wired.com/story/social-security-administration-regional-office-elon-musk-x/
No more citizen's allowance for Ukrainians - local authorities make demand to the federal government
welt.de/politik/deutschland/article255951206/Kein-Buergergeld-mehr-fuer-Ukrainer-Kommunen-stellen-Forderung-an-den-Bund.html
5 takeaways about NPR's reporting on the whistleblower report about DOGE at the NLRB
npr.org/2025/04/15/nx-s1-5355895/doge-musk-nlrb-takeaways-security
House Democrats: DOGE is building a ‘master database’ of Americans’ sensitive information
Citizen's allowance recipient from Duisburg refuses to work - "It's better to live at the state's expense"
derwesten.de/panorama/promi-tv/buergergeld-armes-deutschland-chris-neue-folgen-id301532862.html
Hundreds of thousands of pensioners face “real cuts”: Why Merz's citizens' income plan will also affect them
fr.de/wirtschaft/armut-trotz-rente-haerte-im-buergergeld-harte-abrechnung-mit-merz-plan-fuer-den-sozialstaat-zr-93688526.html
upnorthlive.com Apr 15
Joe Biden to speak about Social Security concerns in first public address since presidency
upnorthlive.com/news/nation-world/joe-biden-to-speak-about-social-security-ssa-concerns-in-first-public-address-since-presidency-advocates-counselors-and-representatives-for-the-disabled-chicago-elon-musk-doge-cuts-workforce-downsizing
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Donald Trump will be signing a memorandum that aims to stop ineligible people from claiming ... Show more
Missouri Republicans race to repeal sick leave law before rules take effect May 1
stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/article_a8607412-51e0-42f9-af42-715af2281c9e.html
The Trump Billionaires Who Run the Economy and the Things They Say: “You have to laugh to keep from crying,” one Republican pollster said about recent comments ...
nytimes.com/2025/04/19/us/politics/trump-musk-billionaires-economy.html
Trump has repeatedly disparaged his predecessor since taking office. Biden has not spoken out publicly — until now. Biden ... Show more
Biden, breaking his silence, slams Trump on Social Security cuts
Biden, breaking his silence, slams Trump on Social Security cuts
Further increases in prospect: experts warn of rising social security contributions
spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/sozialbeitraege-experten-warnen-vor-steigenden-kosten-a-2bc669d4-e3f3-4b3f-bc9d-fb53dc00d449
Gizmodo Apr 18
Judge Limits DOGE’s Grubby Hands From Grabbing Social Security Administration Data
gizmodo.com/judge-limits-doges-grubby-hands-from-grabbing-social-security-administration-data-2000591457
Joe Biden, in his first major speech since leaving the White House, has railed against his successor Donald Trump’s frenetic government overhaul ... Show more
Elon Musk's DOGE Is Getting Audited: The General Accountability Office's audit examines DOGE’s handling of data at a number of federal agencies ...
wired.com/story/gao-audit-elon-musk-doge-government-agencies/
Trump aids Musk's Social Security fraud hunt, despite lack of evidence: Less than 0.01% of benefits paid out last year was lost to direct deposit fraud ...
axios.com/2025/04/15/trump-musk-social-security-medicare-fraud
Rebecca Walriven-Lawson, 74, said she's on the hunt for a job so she can afford necessary back surgery.
(Credit: Rebecca Walriven-Lawson)#socialsecurity #medicaid #retirement
Scoop: Top Senate Dems propose emergency Social Security payment boost: The Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act is a brainchild of the caucus's Social ...
axios.com/2025/04/10/chuck-schumer-elizabeth-warren-senate-democrats-social-security
"They want to rob it": Former Social Security head says Musk, Trump are "wrecking" agency to raid it
salon.com/2025/04/18/they-want-to-rob-it-former-social-security-head-says-musk-are-wrecking-agency-to-raid-it/
Exclusive: As Social Security services are cut back, millions of seniors face long drives
axios.com/2025/04/08/social-security-seniors-drive
Key Facts: Oil Prices Plummet, M&A Activity Stalls
Apr 13 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: axios.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: axios.com
- Oil prices have fallen to a level where many companies can no longer afford to drill new wells.
- Deal activity significantly decreases when the economic fundamentals are unfavorable.
- The profitability threshold for new wells is at least $61 per barrel, while existing wells can remain profitable at $45.
- Price volatility and uncertainty complicate fair negotiations, prompting companies to focus on existing operations.
Immigrants prove they are alive, forcing Social Security to undo death label
washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/04/18/immigrants-dead-social-security-alive/
Biden calls out Trump and Republicans for cuts to Social Security: The former president spoke Tuesday at a conference for disability advocates in Chicago.
axios.com/2025/04/15/biden-chicago-speech-trump-social-security
A German experiment gave people a basic monthly income. The effect on their work ethic was surprising
cnn.com/2025/04/11/health/germany-universal-basic-income-study-intl-scli-wellness/
Trump aides direct Social Security Administration to list more than 6,000 living immigrants as dead
usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/12/social-security-administration-6000-immigrants-as-dead/83059333007/
Key Facts: US Government Declares Living Immigrants Dead
Apr 16 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: 1news.co.nz
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: 1news.co.nz
- The Trump administration has classified over 6,000 living immigrants as deceased, revoking their Social Security numbers to encourage them to leave.
- This action complicates access to essential services for those affected, as Social Security numbers are necessary.
- Additionally, the legal status of immigrants using the CBP One app has been revoked, pushing them towards self-deportation.
- However, a federal judge has halted the order to force hundreds of thousands of immigrants with temporary legal status to depart.
"This President continues to engage in lawless behaviour, violating the law and abusing our systems of checks and balances."— Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, regarding the legal actions of the Trump administration.
DOGE Goons Physically Drag Social Security Worker From Desk: The high-ranking civil servant had opposed a plan to push out migrants by falsely listing them as ...
thedailybeast.com/doge-goons-physically-drag-social-security-worker-from-desk/
Biden says Trump administration has ‘done so much damage’ since taking office: Former President Biden said the Trump administration has “done so much damage and ...
thehill.com/homenews/administration/5250868-biden-trumps-admin-damage/
Competition Fuels Success — Just Ask Augusta National and Rory McIlroy: Don't steer clear of competition. Instead, lean into. Rivalry in business can boost ...
inc.com/monica-amadio/competition-fuels-success-just-ask-augusta-national-and-rory-mcilroy/91176249
Listen to angry voters ask Senator Grassley if they can ignore court orders like Trump
independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/voters-senator-grassley-trump-court-orders-b2734131.html
MSNBC.com Apr 19
Trumpland with Alex Wagner: Listen to Alex Wagner, MSNBC's Trumpland with Alex Wagner podcast with Alex Wagner on Apple Podcasts.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trumpland-with-alex-wagner/id1638974657
A bigger hole: Trump has already spent $155bn more than Biden. Musk now claims DOGE only saved $150bn
independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/musk-trump-bigger-debt-150-billion-b2733310.html
'Nobody's groceries got cheaper': 'Squad' rep slams Trump's budget as gift to billionaires
foxbusiness.com/politics/nobodys-groceries-got-cheaper-squad-rep-slams-trumps-budget-gift-billionaires
Social Security’s new anti-fraud measures start Monday. Here’s what you need to know
cnn.com/2025/04/14/politics/soclal-security-changes-fraud/
Social Security Administration launches anti-fraud measures: The Social Security Administration launched tools that will "identify suspicious activity in ...
foxbusiness.com/economy/social-security-administration-launches-anti-fraud-measures
EWN Apr 16
Biden slams Trump 'destruction' in first post-presidency speech: ‘Fewer than 100 days, this administration has done so much damage, and so much destruction - ...
ewn.co.za/2025/04/16/biden-slams-trump-destruction-in-first-post-presidency-speech
Biden says damage Trump has done to Social Security is 'breathtaking': Biden's remarks come as DOGE has slashed the agency's operations.
abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-make-post-presidency-speeches-defend-social-security/story
Merz plans to withdraw citizens' income from Ukrainian refugees: The newly formed coalition of the CDU, CSU, and SPD plans to stop providing citizens' ...
fnp.de/wirtschaft/merz-plant-ukraine-fluechtlingen-das-buergergeld-zu-entziehen-zr-93675188.html
Doge unemployment ‘fraud’ discoveries are old finds from Biden era, experts say: Some aren’t even fraud but rather known attempts by states to protect victims of ...
theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/16/elon-musk-doge-fraud
Social Security classifies thousands of immigrants as dead, as part of Trump crackdown
washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/04/10/self-deportation-immigrants-social-security-dead/
How to file for an extension, and other Tax Day advice: If you’ve waited till the last minute to file your taxes, don’t panic. You still have time to get it done ...
apnews.com/article/tax-day-tax-tips-d9812f7eb700cc1d074bb57f1bcd7b7e
CNA Apr 15
Singapore citizens can apply for S$6,000 unemployment benefit scheme from Apr 15: Successful applicants will need to complete enough job search-related ...
channelnewsasia.com/singapore/jobseeker-support-scheme-unemployment-benefits-6000-how-apply-5064691
Trump administration overrode Social Security staff to list immigrants as dead: A senior executive who objected was marched out of his office and put on leave ...
wapo.st/4ctCTYx
Social Security lists thousands of living immigrants as dead to prompt them to leave, AP sources say
detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/11/social-security-lists-thousands-living-immigrants-dead-to-prompt-them-to-leave-ap-sources-say/83040781007/
Key Facts: Trump Administration Declares Living Immigrants Dead
Apr 11 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: time.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: time.com
- The Trump administration has classified over 6,000 living immigrants as dead, revoking their Social Security numbers and limiting their work eligibility.
- This action makes it difficult for affected individuals to access banking and basic services, aiming to encourage 'self-deportation'.
- The targeted immigrants primarily participated in programs sanctioned during the Biden administration, with changes also affecting users of a specific app.
- A federal judge has intervened, halting an order that would force hundreds of thousands of immigrants with temporary legal status to leave the country.
"This President continues to engage in lawless behavior, violating the law and abusing our systems of checks and balances."— Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, commented on the Trump administration's actions.
Social Security Says On X It’s Not Switching All Communications To X (Update): The agency batted down a Wired report that it was moving all of its communications ...
huffpost.com/entry/social-security-administration-x-press-releases_n_67f9770ae4b0c859a8c0b840
Merz gets serious: No more citizen's allowance for Ukrainians - that's what the coalition agreement says
berliner-zeitung.de/politik-gesellschaft/der-knallharte-merz-plan-im-koalitionsvertrag-buergergeld-fuer-ukrainer-gestrichen-li.2315512
Belgian prince loses legal battle to receive social security benefits on top of royal allowance
theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/08/belgian-prince-laurent-social-security-benefits-royal-allowance
Trump gets A's in destruction and vengeance. What grade would you give him? | Opinion
dispatch.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2025/04/15/donald-trump-first-100-days-grade-presidency/83079547007/
Scoop: Senate Dems hit GOP on Social Security in first 2026 ads: Maine and North Carolina are the best opportunities to flip a Republican-held Senate seat next ...
axios.com/2025/04/15/democrats-collins-tillis-trump-social-security-ads
Trump Moves to Get Rid of Head Start, Which Offers Free Child Care to Poor Families
democracynow.org/2025/4/14/headlines/trump_moves_to_get_rid_of_head_start_which_offers_free_child_care_to_poor_families
Social Security walks back cuts to phone services, announces ‘anti-fraud check’: The Social Security Administration (SSA) reiterated its plans to walk back ...
thehill.com/homenews/administration/5240779-social-security-phone-cuts-anti-fraud-checks/
Social Security is changing under President Trump. Here's what retirees need to know
usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/retirement/2025/04/07/retirees-trump-social-security-changes/81887138007/
DOGE finds thousands of fake unemployment claims: The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) uncovered tens of thousands of unemployment claims for claimants ...
foxbusiness.com/politics/doge-finds-thousands-fake-unemployment-claims
DOGE pulling data from federal agencies to remove immigrants from housing
washingtonpost.com/business/2025/04/15/doge-ssa-immigration-trump-housing/
The New Republic Apr 07
Elon Musk’s DOGE Cuts Are Sending Social Security Into “Death Spiral”: People are warning that the crucial agency is collapsing.
newrepublic.com/post/193692/elon-musk-doge-cuts-social-security-collapsing
Elon Musk, Owner of X, Complains He’s Losing ‘Propaganda War’: Elon Musk, who owns X, is only becoming more unpopular as he works with Trump to slash the ...
rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/elon-musk-complains-losing-propaganda-war-1235316305/
Breaking news: CDU/CSU and SPD agree on "migration turnaround", basic security instead of citizen's income, reinstatement of compulsory military service on a ...
n-tv.de/newsletter/breakingnews/Union-und-SPD-vereinbaren-Migrationswende-Grundsicherung-statt-Buergergeld-Wiedereinsetzung-der-Wehrpflicht-auf-freiwilliger-Basis-article25692366.html
'They're Lying': Despite Claims, Social Security Office Closures—Which Mean Cuts—Are Coming
commondreams.org/news/social-security-office
Citizen's allowance: Those who repeatedly reject jobs will be punished: The citizen's allowance is actually intended to secure more than just the ...
morgenpost.de/politik/article408756245/buergergeld-wer-mehrfach-jobs-ablehnt-wird-bestraft.html
DOGE trumpets unemployment fraud that the government already found years ago: Elon Musk's federal cost-cutting team is touting its latest finding: Hundreds of ...
apnews.com/article/doge-trump-musk-unemployment-aa033544cb4e7167d0f310f0f93bbede
The number of people affected is still small: Job centers are cutting the citizen's allowance for significantly more people.
n-tv.de/politik/Jobcenter-kuerzen-deutlich-mehr-Menschen-das-Buergergeld-article25694598.html
Gitta Connemann: Chairwoman of the Mittelstandsunion calls the citizen's allowance a "boost for the AfD"
welt.de/politik/deutschland/article255924946/Gitta-Connemann-Vorsitzende-der-Mittelstandsunion-nennt-Buergergeld-Turbo-fuer-die-AfD.html
Coalition agreement: Where the CDU/CSU and SPD have prevailed: The leaders of the CDU/CSU and SPD are in agreement, the coalition agreement is in place ...
zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/koalitionsvertrag-cdu-csu-spd-migration-steuern-faktencheck-100.html
Key Facts: Surprising Distribution of Ministries in New Coalition
Apr 10 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: tagesschau.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: tagesschau.de
- The Union and SPD presented their coalition agreement, featuring unexpected decisions regarding the distribution of ministries.
- The SPD might secure seven ministerial posts, while the division of ministries, including the split of education and research, raised questions.
- Key ministries such as the Finance Ministry could be headed by SPD leader Lars Klingbeil, enhancing the SPD's influence.
- The appointments for additional ministries, particularly in health and digital sectors, remain uncertain, as does the role of SPD leader Saskia Esken.
"The surprise of the distribution of ministries is attributed to the negotiation tactics of party leader Lars Klingbeil."— This statement reflects the SPD's assessment of the distribution of ministries and its reasons.