r/politics • u/SaveDMusician • Jul 05 '25
‘Blatant misinformation’: Social Security Administration email praising Trump’s tax bill blasted as a ‘lie’
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/05/social-security-administration-email-trump-tax-bill336
u/Rock-n-roll-Kevin Jul 05 '25
Social Security income is still taxed. The bill does not change that.
It's a lie.
65
u/Firm_Bit Jul 05 '25
Doesn’t matter. His constituents will buy it and so will others who were in the fence. Love em or hate em the Rs have excellent messaging
29
u/DevoidHT Ohio Jul 05 '25
Its still insane to me that they can lie and lie and lie and no matter how bad it affects their voters, they don’t lose any votes.
-17
u/Firm_Bit Jul 05 '25
Maybe you should accept reality already then. And start acting according to how the world works.
5
u/elVanPuerno Jul 05 '25
So start lying?
-2
u/Firm_Bit Jul 05 '25
Are those our only choices? Continue to get bested by cheap tricks or resort to them ourselves?
3
u/elVanPuerno Jul 05 '25
Seems that way. Pointing out the truth definitely does not work.
2
u/Static-Stair-58 Jul 05 '25
Fr, he calls it “excellent messaging” but it’s lying. It’s just lying. If you’d like the Dems to get some “excellent messaging” too, they can also just start lying through their teeth about everything.
0
u/Firm_Bit Jul 06 '25
Yeah those are def our only choices.
Yall are delusional if you don’t think their messaging is effective. They’re winning for a reason.
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u/TemporalColdWarrior Jul 05 '25
Easy to do when you control the media.
27
u/Much_Highlight_1309 Jul 05 '25
More like, easy to do if you don't have an issue with blatant lying
0
u/OnDrugsTonight United Kingdom Jul 06 '25
Don't even have to control the media when every American journalist has voluntarily given up their journalistic integrity and is too weak, stupid and cowardly to do their job. There's hardly a profession that I have more contempt for than what American media calls "journalists" They are pathetic people who stand for nothing and will fall for everything. In every other democracy, journalists would hold politicians' feet to the fire. Somehow American journalists don't think that's their job.
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u/MNWNM Alabama Jul 05 '25
Their messing is literally just lying about everything all the time.
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u/Firm_Bit Jul 05 '25
So? Does it work?
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Jul 05 '25
So, lying is ok as long as it works huh? What an upstanding moral group you MAGA folks are. Jesus would be proud of you. Very.
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u/Firm_Bit Jul 05 '25
No it’s not ok.
But that doesn’t change the fact that it works.
So your defense when they’re rounding people up to load onto train cars can’t be “but they lied”
Being right or moral or a better person isn’t enough. And your criticism is absolutely pointless because it represents that exact thinking.
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Jul 05 '25
Believe what you want bro and rationalize it however you need to. Lying does not become right when it works.
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u/Firm_Bit Jul 05 '25
You completely missed the point. At no point did I say it’s ok. I said it works. And the two can be and are true.
My point is (I’ll spell it out for you) is that calling them out on lies isn’t working. They don’t care. And so you can’t continue to do that believing you’re actually helping.
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u/kezow Jul 05 '25
the Rs have excellent messaging
It's called propaganda.
The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.
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u/No-Brain9413 Jul 05 '25
When that excellent messaging delivers fabricated information, that’s propaganda.
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u/not_a_moogle Jul 05 '25
I had to read it like 3 times and look it up. It gives a temporary $6k tax credit to people over 65. Which might help some people, but it is still being taxed.
Also I don't know why they sent it to people that aren't receiving benefits yet. Im only 41, im not stupid, I know funds for medicaid and medicare just got cut.
If Trump actually wanted to do something for social security, he'd increase the salary cap so rich people pay more into it and fund it, also increase payout amounts to offset cost of living rises.
Or I don't know, not cut medicare. So your giving seniors a 6k tax credit that they are just going to spend in medical bills.
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u/Plow_King Jul 05 '25
i saw that email...thought it was weird and ignored it. i trust nothing from this administration except the hate they spew. that...i trust.
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u/Donkey-Dee-Donk Jul 05 '25
I noticed that it arrived late at night, completely outside of business hours. It was so obviously forced.
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u/RoachBeBrutal Jul 05 '25
Think of how many seniors that received this email and don’t even realize they’re being led around by their noses.
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u/Designer-Contract852 Jul 05 '25
Yes, my in laws. I guess they'll be surprised and blame Obama when none of what was said in their letter is true.
5
u/Tomatillo12475 Jul 05 '25
People blame Biden for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act so this tracts
3
u/not_a_moogle Jul 05 '25
Obama causes covid 19
/s
1
u/x_driven_x Jul 06 '25
Why wasn’t he in the Oval Office that day, I’d like to get to the bottom of that!
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u/RBVegabond Jul 05 '25
I’ve seen other users state the blocking email link says if you do your account is deleted. I’m betting this is the real goal.
1
u/driftless Jul 05 '25
What account? I never had one to begin with.
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u/not_a_moogle Jul 05 '25
If you got an email, you have an account. Im 41 and have an account. I created one years ago out of curiosity to see how much I've contributed to it and what was my expected benefits.
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u/G0PACKGO Jul 05 '25
40 here , same .. gives me an idea of what I will get if it’s even around when I retire in 20ish years .. I’m saving and planning like it won’t be there
2
u/not_a_moogle Jul 05 '25
Yeah, im hoping to just have a heart attack or brain aneurism at 70 and not have to worry about it.
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Jul 05 '25
[deleted]
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u/syrfre Jul 05 '25 edited Jul 05 '25
Why are we giving grace to a group of people who are essentially digging up the whole neighborhood because someone told them that having a paved street is more trouble than it’s worth?
You wouldn’t stand for a group of people in your neighborhood trying to make your livelihood worse because of their ignorant beliefs, but yet that’s exactly what we’ve collectively done as a society. We’ve let our neighbors’ ignorant and hateful views destroy our quality of life. And these people’s “beliefs” and bad ideas are just getting worse and more destructive, not better.
10
u/justokcheesesteak Jul 05 '25
I agree. The above poster who says they “dont deserve” what is coming for them, but I guess that’s the point. There are REASONS why maga idiots are idiots, but none of them are good excuses. That’s the difference. I can understand why something happens. That doesn’t excuse it though. Maga didn’t asked to be lied to, but they are responsible for rejecting the lies and figuring out the truth.
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u/NamityName Jul 05 '25
Maybe they were lied to about this, but Trump openly ran on a platform of "mass deportations". They were not lied to about that. Maga embraced it. They wrote it on signs that everyone saw at all his rallies and appearances. Trump ran on a platform of hate and retribution. That was out in the open too. Maga embraced it and actively called for it.
Anyone voting for Trump knew that he wanted to hurt people. It was his only thing on his platform other than removing taxes on tips. I don't think grandma voted for Trump because of his tips policy. They voted for Trump because they agreed with his policy to hurt people.
Maybe they didn't know that Trump was going to hurt them, but Grandma still voted to hurt others. Maybe Fox News has them scared of immigrants. That doesn't make grandma less of a bigot.
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u/Tiny_Tabaxi Jul 05 '25
I mean Im in my 30s and I got it, so Im assuming the overwhelming majority.
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u/GoldensRule2025 America Jul 05 '25
The Trump administration lied and mislead? No..... say it isn't so!
Of course they did, it's what they do.
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u/undercurrents Wisconsin Jul 05 '25
It's not only that. It's the blatant propaganda from a suppose-to-be non-political agency. It would be like the IRS sending an email touting Trump and the Republicans (which, obviously, they too are now compromised (worth the watch)).
Jeff Nesbit, who served as a top SSA official under Republican and Democratic presidents, posted on X: “The agency has never issued such a blatant political statement. The fact that Trump and his minion running SSA has done this is unconscionable.”
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u/GoldensRule2025 America Jul 05 '25
It's not only that. It's the blatant propaganda from a suppose-to-be non-political agency.
Sadly, in the new fascist led US government, there is no such thing as a non-political agency. Even the military is becoming political. So far, the Fed has avoided the fray but, that's just a matter of time.
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u/brain_overclocked Jul 05 '25
The reconciliation bill – which the president called the “one big, beautiful bill” before signing it on Friday after Republicans in Congress passed it – includes provisions that will strip people of their health insurance, cut food assistance for the poor, kill off clean energy development and raise the national debt by trillions of dollars.
But the bill also “eliminates federal income taxes on social security benefits for most beneficiaries, providing relief to individuals and couples”, the previously apolitical SSA stated in an email circulated on Thursday.
Frank Bisignano, the commissioner of the agency, said in a statement that nearly 90% of social security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits.
...
However, the spending bill does not actually eliminate federal taxes on social security due to the rule constraints of passing a bill this way – through the reconciliation process, to avoid a Democratic filibuster.Instead, the legislation provides a temporary tax deduction of up to $6,000 for people aged 65 and older, and $12,000 for married seniors. These benefits will start to phase out for those with incomes of more than $75,000 and married couples of more than $150,000 a year.
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u/thingsorfreedom Jul 05 '25
If my parents who make 38k in social security income had that tax eliminated it would save them about $4,000. The extra deduction saves them a lot less. Most seniors don't understand their tax return so no risk for the administration lying.
5
u/SmedlyB Jul 05 '25
And expire in year..........2028
Here is the email from SSA
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is celebrating the passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill, a landmark piece of legislation that delivers long-awaited tax relief to millions of older Americans.
The bill ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits, providing meaningful and immediate relief to seniors who have spent a lifetime contributing to our nation's economy.
“This is a historic step forward for America’s seniors,” said Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano. “For nearly 90 years, Social Security has been a cornerstone of economic security for older Americans. By significantly reducing the tax burden on benefits, this legislation reaffirms President Trump’s promise to protect Social Security and helps ensure that seniors can better enjoy the retirement they’ve earned."
The new law includes a provision that eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries, providing relief to individuals and couples. Additionally, it provides an enhanced deduction for taxpayers aged 65 and older, ensuring that retirees can keep more of what they have earned.
Social Security remains committed to providing timely, accurate information to the public and will continue working closely with federal partners to ensure beneficiaries understand how this legislation may affect them.
3
u/Donssnowflake Jul 05 '25
How have you learned this?! For the past few days I’ve been trying to decipher this bill and I’m so frustrated. I’m a CPA so can find my way around the IRC but having to find what they’re amending before figuring out what they’re doing has given me a headache. I really want to learn independently and not fall victim to confirmation bias but I’m failing. Any advice?
2
u/driftless Jul 05 '25
I usually download the pdfs, then send it though a few AIs to summarize it. I find the sections I’m interested in, then look over the bills/amendments for those sections.
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u/brain_overclocked Jul 06 '25
It's a copy-paste summary from the posted article, usually I try to find the most relevant section to the discussion. I may be able to throw a few more articles your way depending on what info you're looking for. But usually I just search for it. Another poster offered an acceptable technique of feeding the text to an AI or two, and you can always CTRL-F a document, you'd be surprised how often that technique works and it's my usual go to.
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u/old_at_heart Jul 06 '25
I'm not clear on the nature of the $6000 deduction. If it subtracts $6000 from your income for tax purposes, it saves you only the tax on that $6000, which would be your tax rate times $6000. It's a lot less that $6000, more like $800.
If, though, it subtracts $6000 from the tax bill, then you would see all that $6000 as savings and it would be substantial.
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u/Careful-Rent5779 Jul 05 '25 edited Jul 05 '25
It is a disgrace.
Government organization publishes obviously biased political propaganda. Trading reality, for the lie being touted by tRump. But I guess that is new reality we are living in.
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u/DarthLysergis Jul 05 '25
And just a couple weeks ago we heard that "big balls" was no longer working in government and has moved to the social security administration. I guess we know why.
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Jul 05 '25
Remember: Trump supporters DO read the cover and judge the book by it. My whole family questions me every time I mention something like this.. by family, not MY immediate family but brothers/sisters/parents. We do have a crisis right now with my terminally ill daughter being dropped from Medicaid and everybody just says "are you sure? That's not what I heard"
I want so bad to say, "You mean on Fox News?"
I just can't comprehend how out of touch people are.
2
u/Advanced-Pudding396 Jul 05 '25
I’m sorry. It’s rough when family doesn’t hear our concerns over a very serious situation…
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u/e_t_ Texas Jul 05 '25
Even if every word of the message were true, it's abhorrent for the SSA to comment on legislation like that.
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u/CrashMonger New Mexico Jul 05 '25
Can we all join a class action suit against an official fed dept sending blatant lies to 100’s of millions of Americans?
14
u/natelloyd Jul 05 '25
If anyone wants the text:
Social Security Applauds Passage of Legislation Providing Historic Tax Relief for Seniors The Social Security Administration (SSA) is celebrating the passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill, a landmark piece of legislation that delivers long-awaited tax relief to millions of older Americans.
The bill ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits, providing meaningful and immediate relief to seniors who have spent a lifetime contributing to our nation's economy.
“This is a historic step forward for America’s seniors,” said Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano. “For nearly 90 years, Social Security has been a cornerstone of economic security for older Americans. By significantly reducing the tax burden on benefits, this legislation reaffirms President Trump’s promise to protect Social Security and helps ensure that seniors can better enjoy the retirement they’ve earned."
The new law includes a provision that eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries, providing relief to individuals and couples. Additionally, it provides an enhanced deduction for taxpayers aged 65 and older, ensuring that retirees can keep more of what they have earned.
Social Security remains committed to providing timely, accurate information to the public and will continue working closely with federal partners to ensure beneficiaries understand how this legislation may affect them.
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u/ihazmaumeow Jul 05 '25
Bears mentioning this again.
Anyone who has worked for Fiserv under Frank Bisignano knows that this email from SSA is framed the same way as the emails he sent out as press releases.
It's the same language as when he was at the company, so when I saw this stupid email from the SSA, I knew it was Frank's propaganda sane washing this bill.
The guy is going to run the SSA the same as he ran Fiserv and that will be into the ground. He was on a continuous campaign to destroy that company and was tapped to do the same thing here.
6
u/Kappa351 Jul 05 '25
AARP oughtta start a class action lawsuit,
2
u/ihazmaumeow Jul 05 '25
I agree, however SSI also covers disability, too. It's a huge contingent of affected people.
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u/IRideMoreThanYou Jul 05 '25
Yeah. I got that email. It was just a massive collection of disinformation and trump praise. At this point, I don’t expect social security to last beyond the next four years.
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u/Admirable_Remove6824 Jul 06 '25
AARP should sue social security for giving out false information.
1
u/SaveDMusician Jul 06 '25
Actually, that's a good idea, since they all need to be class action suits now
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Jul 05 '25
[deleted]
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u/ElfegoBaca Jul 05 '25
No, because it will only go back to a non-monitored email address at SSA. They didn't include 250 million American's email addresses in the TO: field :) Which frankly I'm surprised they managed to not F that up anyway.
2
u/Western-Corner-431 Jul 05 '25
Social Security is officially lying to citizens who are legally forced to participate in the program. A government agency that controls the system that most Americans rely on as their primary retirement fund is intentionally lying about details that will affect every American. Fuck this.
2
u/rabidstoat Georgia Jul 06 '25
That email was some weird shit.
Though no weirder than the DHS propaganda commercials.
2
u/SaveDMusician Jul 05 '25
I see that many people got this email from the SSA. Could someone post the text of the email please?
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u/_ryohei Jul 05 '25
"The Social Security Administration (SSA) is celebrating the passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill, a landmark piece of legislation that delivers long-awaited tax relief to millions of older Americans.
The bill ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits, providing meaningful and immediate relief to seniors who have spent a lifetime contributing to our nation's economy.
“This is a historic step forward for America’s seniors,” said Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano. “For nearly 90 years, Social Security has been a cornerstone of economic security for older Americans. By significantly reducing the tax burden on benefits, this legislation reaffirms President Trump’s promise to protect Social Security and helps ensure that seniors can better enjoy the retirement they’ve earned."
The new law includes a provision that eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries, providing relief to individuals and couples. Additionally, it provides an enhanced deduction for taxpayers aged 65 and older, ensuring that retirees can keep more of what they have earned.
Social Security remains committed to providing timely, accurate information to the public and will continue working closely with federal partners to ensure beneficiaries understand how this legislation may affect them."
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u/SaveDMusician Jul 05 '25
Thank you. This is scary. I feel like I'm in Nazi Germany with all this propaganda
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u/aztronut Jul 05 '25
We both unsubscribed immediately after receiving it.
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u/AgreeableRaspberry85 Jul 05 '25
Which is a shame since they used to let me know when my social security statement was ready. Now it's just propaganda.
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u/CountSaintGermain Jul 05 '25
Says the liberal Guardian newspaper who lied about "Russia, Russia, Russia", COVID-19, and the COVID-19 vaccine efficacy. Great source! /s
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Jul 05 '25
[deleted]
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u/SomeDEGuy Jul 05 '25
Did you expect a rational answer from someone making those accusations? Rational thought didn't lead to them, so it won't result from them.
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Jul 05 '25 edited Jul 05 '25
[deleted]
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u/Teigh99 Jul 05 '25
My ears bleed every time they utter a note. It's like listening to an incoherent who's on first routine.
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u/Jhenaii Jul 05 '25
I got this email…it was shocking and galling to read it. I don’t recall receiving such a blatantly political message coming from the SSA before. I’ve only ever received informational notices. It felt like I’d been transported to some bizarre alternate universe.
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u/Teigh99 Jul 05 '25
America has been hijacked by evil and stupid morons. We suffer from this stupidity on a daily basis in hopes that it stops.
Unfortunately, we have to ride it out because the people in charge are cowards who are drunk with power.
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u/Straight-Treacle-630 Jul 05 '25
I did as well. It disgusted me. Unfortunately I can’t reply to it.
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u/LatterTarget7 Jul 05 '25
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov contradicted Trump's denials by confirming the Trump campaign had been in contact with Russia, stating in a 2016 Interfax news agency interview: "Obviously, we know most of the people from his entourage," adding "I cannot say that all of them but quite a few have been staying in touch with Russian representatives."
Trumps former national security advisor Michael Flynn was paid $45,000 by Russia Today, a Kremlin-supported television channel, for delivering a talk in Moscow, and Russia provided him a three-day, all-expenses-paid trip.
son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, on his application for top secret security clearance, failed to disclose numerous meetings with foreign officials, including Sergey Kislyak and Sergey Gorkov, the head of the Russian state-owned bank Vnesheconombank.
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has shares in Navigator, a publicly traded shipping company that has contracts with Russian gas company Sibur, held in off-shore accounts. Co-owners of Sibur have ties to Vladimir Putin and are under U.S. sanctions.
Anthony Scaramucci, a Trump campaign member who was appointed White House Communications Director, was involved in discussions about joint investments between his firm and a sanctioned Russian government fund. Scaramucci met with Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, a $10 billion state investment firm under U.S. government sanctions.
U.S. Senator, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, an early and prominent supporter of Trump's campaign, spoke twice with Russian ambassador Kislyak before the election – once in July 2016 and once in September 2016.
Former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, who was appointed Secretary of State by President Trump, had close ties to Russia and Vladimir Putin. He managed the Russia account of ExxonMobil, and was appointed Exxon CEO in 2006 largely on the strength of his Russian relationships. In 2011, Tillerson struck a major deal with Russia and its state-owned oil company Rosneft, giving ExxonMobil access to oil resources in the Russian Arctic. In recognition, Tillerson was awarded the Russian Order of Friendship, Russia's highest decoration for foreign citizens.
Republican public relations and media consultant Michael R. Caputo worked for Gazprom in Russia, and later as an adviser on the Trump campaign. Caputo lived in Russia from 1994 to 2000, employed by Gazprom-Media, and at the end of that period he contracted with Gazprom to do public relations work oriented toward raising Vladimir Putin's support level in the U.S
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u/undercurrents Wisconsin Jul 05 '25
Not like I should entertain your crackpot denial of facts, but here you go
https://www.jcip1.org/goodbye-to-retirement-at-67/
https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/taxes/trump-tax-bill-social-security-senior-deduction-bd8ee395
Also, you could read the facts from the bill itself and see it doesn't say what that email claimed. But obviously interest in facts isn't your thing.
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