Are people born in 2154 claiming unemployment benefits? Elon Musk reveals shocking claims, sparks online debate
Tech-billionaire, Elon Musk, on Thursday highlighted the fraudulent unemployment claims in the United States, revealing that 24,500 seniors had claimed $59 million, while 28,000 young children filed for $254 million. Read more.
Elon Musk, the tech mogul and DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) head, highlighted fraudulent unemployment claims in the United States, revealing that 24,500 seniors had claimed $59 million, while 28,000 young children filed for $254 million.
On Thursday, the tech billionaire took to his social media X (formerly called Twitter) and shared a post mentioning, ¡°Your tax dollars were going to pay fraudulent unemployment claims for fake people born in the future! This is so crazy that I had to read it several times before it sank in.¡±
He went to share the data from DOGE on unemployment insurance claims, which mentioned an initial survey of unemployment insurance claims since 2020, and it revealed:
- Firstly, 24,500 individuals over the age of 115 years claimed $59 million in benefits.
- Secondly, 28,000 individuals between the ages of 1 and 5 years claimed $254 million in benefits.
- And thirdly, 9,700 people with birth dates over 15 years in the future claimed $69 million in benefits.
Interestingly, one instance showed an individual with a birth year of 2154 filed a claim for $41,000.
Your tax dollars were going to pay fraudulent unemployment claims for fake people born in the future!
¡ª Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 10, 2025
This is so crazy that I had to read it several times before it sank in. https://t.co/U5qqcyUgzo
What is the role of DOGE in this?
The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, is an initiative created by US President Donald Trump and is headed by Tesla owner Elon Musk. DOGE aims to significantly reduce the federal government by cost-cutting and job.
The department claims that it has saved $150 billion till April 8 through sales, contract or lease cancellations, fraud and improper payment deletion, grant cancellations, interest savings, programmatic changes, regulatory savings, and workforce reductions.
Credit: X
Netizens react to Elon Musk's post
Noticing the post, social users share mixed reactions to the post, and some even question the accuracy of the data.
One said, "If this is illegal why aren¡¯t we seeing people prosecuted at scale?"
If this is illegal why aren¡¯t we seeing people prosecuted at scale?
¡ª Tom Hennessy (@Tomhennessey69) April 10, 2025
"Will people actually go to jail for it though?"
"There's literally nothing you could say that would shock me anymore. You could tell me we've sent $12B to an alien settlement on Mars that was claiming asylum from a competing galaxy and I would've believed you."
There's literally nothing you could say that would shock me anymore.
¡ª Farzad (@farzyness) April 10, 2025
You could tell me we've sent $12B to an alien settlement on Mars that was claiming asylum from a competing galaxy and I would've believed you.
"If it's not being used for fraud, it'll be used for DoD waste. What's the point, Elon? Trump is dead set on wasting every penny you found on what is likely the most wasteful department of all."
Sneha is a dedicated writer with a passion for storytelling that enthrals and inspires the readers. With a background in Health and Wellness, she brings a unique perspective to every narrative. As a journalist, she aims to find solutions with authenticity and credibility.
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