Ron DeSantis sympathizes with individuals officially recognized as disabled by the Social Security Administration while taking a firm stance against any claims of ‘fake’ disabilities aimed at receiving benefits.
Is Disability Support Misused?
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, while at an event in Iowa—a critical arena for his presidential ambitions—voiced skepticism regarding the validity of a substantial number of disability claims under Social Security.
Self-Harm Risks Among the Disabled
On Saturday, an audience member questioned Governor DeSantis about the dire situations of many people with disability, including those facing self-harm risks.
Legitimate vs. “Fake” Disabilities
While DeSantis expressed sympathy for disabled people, he made a distinction between legitimate Social Security beneficiaries and those with “fake” disabilities, implying the latter should work instead of getting benefits.
Working with Disabilities
Addressing disability issues at a town hall in Grimes, Iowa, DeSantis mentioned, “In terms of disability, you know, you can be disabled partially, and maybe it’s good if you want to maybe work and earn some income, but I think it’s a fine line of some people who would kind of fake being disabled, then work.”
Work Opportunities for the Disabled
“I do think that if somebody has a disability and it prevents them from reaching their full potential and they’re eligible [for Social Security benefits], fine,” he continued.
“But if, then, they can do some type of employment that could supplement, you know, I don’t think that that would be a bad thing, and I think that’s a good incentive.”
Social Security Fraud
DeSantis posted the full video of his Grimes speech on X, previously known as Twitter – the same platform where he announced his presidential campaign last year. He also remarked on Social Security fraud, writing, “There’s a lot of fraud in the program.”
The presidential hopeful deemed it “a huge issue.”
Disability or Fraud?
DeSantis went on, “I remember seeing instances where people were getting, you know, kind of top of the line as much disability as possible, and then someone would get suspicious. They look. This guy is like, you know, a roofer like, he’s doing all right. Well, I mean, either you’re disabled, or you’re not. So there has been a big problem with fraud.”
What Numbers Say
Although conservative politicians and media frequently criticize fraudulent claims in Social Security, former SSA Commissioner Michael J. Astrue stated last year that less than 1 percent of disability claims are actually fraudulent.
The Problem with Overestimation
Exaggerating the prevalence of fraud in the Social Security system undermines the SSA’s effective screening processes and influences voters to support politicians advocating for benefit cuts.
A Change of Heart
During his 2012 Congress run, DeSantis supported privatizing Social Security and Medicare and favored increasing the retirement age. Last year, he revised his view, promising not to “mess with Social Security.”
No Plans to Drop Out
On Sunday, he also quashed rumors of dropping out of the Republican primary if he falls behind Trump in Iowa. Recent FiveThirtyEight polling shows DeSantis trailing Trump nationally with 12.1% to 61.8% as of January 7, but the gap narrows in Iowa, where Trump leads with 50% to DeSantis’ 18.4%.
Is Trump Truly Pro-Life? DeSantis Says No
DeSantis has ramped up his aggressiveness towards Trump recently. At a CNN town hall last Thursday, he accused Trump of “flip-flopping” on abortion, arguing that this inconsistency means Trump shouldn’t be labeled “pro-life.”
He also criticized Trump for not signing an executive order to revoke “birthright citizenship,” the constitutional interpretation that grants U.S. citizenship to anyone born on American soil.
The Iowa Showdown
From the beginning, DeSantis decided to take on Trump’s “cult of personality,” particularly after his near 20-point re-election win in 2022. But as the Iowa caucuses approach, he’s facing a reality where Trump is not only a charismatic leader but also a figure gaining folk hero status amid perceived Democratic “lawfare.”
The day of January 15 will be telling – will DeSantis fold and leave, or will he go all in, perhaps letting ego lead over logic?
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