During an appearance on MSNBC’s PoliticsNation on Sunday, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) claimed that members of the Trump administration, including billionaire Elon Musk, are working to dismantle Social Security in order to hand it over to private equity firms.

His remarks were made during a discussion with host Al Sharpton about public frustration toward the administration.

Sharpton opened the segment by questioning whether voters were becoming increasingly frustrated with President Donald Trump’s second term, citing protests in Republican-led districts over government layoffs and interruptions to services.

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“We’re seeing more and more Americans turning out for community forums, especially in Republican districts, demanding answers about the mass government layoffs and interruptions to vital government services,” Sharpton said.

“Do you get the sense that many voters are getting fed up with the chaos being caused by President Trump so far in his second term?”

Whitehouse agreed, saying, “Yeah, absolutely. And I think polling numbers show it, and I think the fact that Republicans can’t go and have a town hall themselves any longer because they’ve angered their constituents so much also shows that people, I think, are fed up with this.”

During the exchange, Whitehouse went on to claim that the administration is actively working to weaken Social Security.

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He specifically accused Musk and a group he referred to as “doggy boys” and “Musk rats” of attempting to cause system failures in order to justify privatization.

“And the danger to Social Security, I think, is very real. You know, watch that carefully,” Whitehouse warned.

“Trump lies. And one of his lies is that he won’t touch Social Security. But he sent in Musk and those doggy boys, the Musk rats, to wreck up stuff in Social Security,” he continued.

Whitehouse further suggested that the administration’s goal is to create benefit disruptions that would pave the way for private firms to take control of the program.

“The former commissioner, Governor O’Malley, says that the wreckage that they’re doing will lead to interruptions in benefits. And at that point, [Trump] comes in and says, ‘Oh, look, I broke Social Security, we have an emergency, let’s fix it. Let’s get the private equity people and the big data people in here to run Social Security,’” Whitehouse alleged.

Whitehouse’s comments come as demonstrations against Musk and his businesses escalate across the United States and abroad.

Protesters have been targeting Tesla showrooms and facilities in response to Musk’s push for government spending reductions and regulatory changes.

On Saturday, crowds gathered outside Tesla stores in multiple U.S. cities, as well as in London, Portugal, Malaysia, and Iceland.

In New York City, around 250 activists assembled outside a Tesla showroom, carrying signs that read “Block Fascism Now” and “Musk Must Go.”

Protesters chanted, “Elon Musk is not elected! Democracy must be protected!”

According to The New York Daily News, five protesters were arrested for disorderly conduct at the Manhattan demonstration, while another individual was taken into custody for resisting arrest, obstruction, and violating local laws.

Law enforcement agencies have also reported over a dozen acts of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations since President Trump’s inauguration.

In some instances, protesters have used firearms and Molotov cocktails to attack Tesla properties.

As tensions continue to rise, the administration has not responded to Whitehouse’s accusations, nor has Musk addressed the allegations that his involvement in government reform is connected to Social Security.

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