Head of Social Security abruptly resigns after clash with Elon Musk over DOGE’s access to sensitive data

The acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration has quit after a disagreement with Elon Musk over the ‘First Buddy’ and DOGE attempting to access government records. Musk, a ubiquitous presence beside President Trump early in his second term, has used DOGE in his quest to slash unnecessary waste, fraud and abuse from government. Social security is no different, as Musk today shared staggering data claiming there are millions of dead Americans still eligible for social security payments.

Michelle King, the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, has quit after a disagreement with Elon Musk over the ‘First Buddy’ and DOGE attempting to access government records

Musk has served as a sidekick to Donald Trump early on in his second term, using his role as DOGE chairman to attempt to cut unnecessary waste, fraud and abuse from government

Michelle King – a career bureaucrat who has worked for the SSA since 1994 until being named to the top post this year – apparently clashed with Musk over his attempts to access sensitive government records. ‘What I know is that DOGE wanted access to SSA’s sensitive files — the same way they’re trying to do at Labor and Treasury — and the acting commissioner wouldn’t give it, and she was replaced,’ Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, told The Washington Post.

It was unclear which records DOGE was trying to access. Trump has already nominated Frank Bisgnano to get the role permanently but he is still being vetted by the Senate. Leland Dudek, who runs the SSA’s anti-fraud division, has been appointed acting commissioner after King’s departure.

‘President Trump has nominated the highly qualified and talented Frank Bisignano to lead the Social Security Administration, and we expect him to be swiftly confirmed in the coming weeks,’ the White House told DailyMail.com in a statement. ‘In the meantime, the agency will be led by a career Social Security anti-fraud expert as the acting commissioner.’