Social Security Administration’s Bisignano rankles with latest Trump-centric message

The subject line on the July 2 email from the Social Security Administration was largely unremarkable: “Making Life More Affordable for America’s Seniors.” What followed, however, was an unsubtle political message.

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The body of the email from Frank Bisignano, the Social Security Administration’s Trump-appointed commissioner, read in part:

This weekend, America celebrates its 250th birthday. For over 90 of those years, Social Security has provided financial freedom for America’s seniors. President Donald J. Trump and the Trump Administration are not only protecting Social Security, but we are providing meaningful and immediate relief to older Americans who have spent decades contributing to our nation’s economy.

Just last year, on July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. This historic legislation included a tax cut that allows Americans 65 and older to keep more of their hard-earned Social Security benefits. Thanks to President Trump, over 35 million American seniors received an average of $7,500 in relief this tax season.

In case this weren’t quite ham-fisted enough, the same email went to tout “the President’s signature tax cut for seniors,” adding, “Under the leadership of President Trump, we are protecting and strengthening Social Security while providing world-class customer service.”

For those keeping score, Bisignano referenced Trump, by name or title, six times in a five-paragraph email.

Part of the problem with the message was its misleading content. A year ago, for example, the president signed legislation that he personally named the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Republicans later decided that the name of the domestic policy megabill hadn’t done them any favors, and GOP officials were told to start referring to the package as the “Working Families Tax Cut Bill” or the “Working Families Tax Plan” as part of a clumsy rebranding effort.

For the Social Security Administration to go along with this in official correspondence to beneficiaries is absurd.

What’s more, Trump really didn’t eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, no matter how many times the White House suggests otherwise.

But making matters is the familiarity of the circumstances.