Martin O’Malley, former Social Security commissioner, spoke about Social Security at the Franklin Public Library in Des Moines Aug. 15, 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Former Social Security commissioner Martin O’Malley told Iowans Friday the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s DOGE service have put Social Security at risk — but said the problems facing the program can be easily solved by lawmakers.
O’Malley spoke at the Franklin Avenue Library in Des Moines for an event hosted by Fairness for Iowa that was a part of the larger “Protect Our Checks” movement, advocating for the protection of Social Security, which marked its 90th anniversary Thursday.
But the future of the program, which provides benefits for retired Americans, people with disabilities and survivors, has become an issue due to financial difficulties forecast for the coming decade. A report released in June from the Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare found reserves are likely to be depleted by 2033 for the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund.
Concerns about insolvency existed before the Trump administration. But O’Malley, who served as Social Security commissioner during former President Joe Biden’s administration, said the problems can be fixed by increasing the payroll tax cap for high earners, and reversing some changes made through the Republican budget reconciliation bill.
O’Malley said he believed an “inflection point” was coming that would shift the current conversation on Social Security. While he said he hopes problems would be fixed sooner, he has a feeling “when they actually break Social Security, it’s going to create an earthquake across the country, and people will realize, ‘Wow, I didn’t vote for this. This has gone way too far.’”
Democrats and supporters of Social Security need to be ready to step up to fight for the program, he said, pointing to the midterms in 2026 and future elections.
“There’s no magic ingredient to it, but the party needs to be full-throated in its defense of Social Security,” O’Malley said. “If we can’t fight and be willing to die on this hill … we shouldn’t call ourselves Democrats anymore. And when it does, all of you, by being here and being fully equipped with the truth, can help us turn this ship.”
The event, part of a national “Win Back Our Country” tour, focused on providing information to attendees about Social Security. O’Malley presented statistics on Social Security response times and finances from his time in office and from under the Trump administration, which he urged people to reference as they discuss the program with friends and family. He also pushed back against statements made by Trump and Musk about Social Security that he said were “lies,” like large numbers of deceased individuals or undocumented immigrants receiving benefits through the system.
In Iowa, 687,630 people receive Social Security benefits. O’Malley encouraged Iowans to contact their representatives and senators to speak out in favor of the program — and to highlight why the program was important to them and future generations.
Zach Mecham, an entrepreneur and disability rights activist, said Social Security made it possible for him to attend Drake University, start his business and own a house and car.
“When I think about all of the things that I’ve been able to do with my life, and I think about young Iowans with disabilities … I’m worried for their future,” Mecham said.” I’m worried that they won’t have the same supports that I get — not the Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the things that I relied on in order to get where I’m at. And I think as Americans that want the American Dream for everyone, we would want these supports for all of the people like me, who just want to make a life better for themselves, or our aging Iowans that have worked their entire life, and now just want to retire in peace. That’s why we’re all here.”
O’Malley has spent significant time in Iowa, having run as a Democratic candidate for president during the 2016 election cycle. Though he has said he is not interested in pursuing another run for president, he said he believes a strong Democratic presidential nominee will be an important figure in the fight to preserve Social Security and take on other policies advanced by Trump and Republicans.
He said that while there are Democrats doing important work — pointing to California Gov. Gavin Newsom and to Beto O’Rourke of Texas — the party is now in an “uncomfortable time” before the 2026 election and the will likely have to wait for clear leaders to emerge.
“The Democratic Party right now is almost like a very agitated, turbulent pool longing to become a flowing river,” O’Malley said. “I think we could really use a midterm to let these national candidates, you know, strut their stuff, articulate their vision and their story. It’ll come. I know we all want it to come last week, but I think it’s very hard right now for any one leader to become the leader of our party.”
