President Donald Trump issued a serious warning Tuesday about what could happen to key social safety-net programs if the federal government remains shut down. Speaking at a press conference, Trump said, “There’s nothing about death. Theirs is death because they’re going to lose Medicaid, they’re going to lose Social Security, they’re going to lose Medicare, all of those things are going to be gone because the whole country would be bankrupt, and you’re not going to have any kind of medical insurance.”
What did Trump mean when he said “nothing about death”?
When Trump said “There’s nothing about death,” he was pushing back against Democrats who had described the funding dispute as something disastrous. His point was that the real danger comes from the potential collapse of key federal programs if the shutdown continues.
In simpler terms, Trump is warning you that if Congress cannot reach an agreement soon, programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs that millions of Americans depend on could face major financial strain or disruption.
Which programs are at risk during a shutdown?
Here is a rapid overview of the primary programs that Trump mentioned and the possible impact of the shutdown on them:
- Medicaid: This is a health care assistance program for the poor in the State. If the government continues to be shut down, there may be delays in processing payments or new enrollments in the state and federal agencies.
- Social Security: The program that furnishes older and disabled Americans with retirement and disability benefits. Even though the very payments are funded through a different channel, there may be administrative delays which would affect the speed of issues being resolved or new benefits being approved.
- Medicare: This is a federal medical insurance program for elderly Americans. Very likely the basic services will continue, but the operations, such as customer support or claims processing, will be very slow if the funding is still frozen.
These programs would not close overnight. But if the government shutdown prolongs, the maintenance of smooth operations would become very difficult.
Can Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid actually stop during a shutdown?
You might be curious to know if your checks will be stopped or if the benefit can be cut off completely. At least, for now, the answer is no, not immediately.
Social Security benefits are supplied by the dedicated trust funds and payroll taxes, which means they do not depend on the federal budget of the year. For medicare and medicaid, they have different funding methods, but a large part of their administration relies on federal staff who may be on leave during a shutdown.
If a shutdown were to last for a long period of time, the biggest issue you may face would be slow services, like waiting longer for answers and having to wait for longer periods to process your claims or new applications.
Why is Trump issuing this warning now?
This warning is coming at a time when there is an already escalating political dispute in Washington regarding government funding. The legislature has not been able to come up with a compromise that would be acceptable to both parties, which has resulted the partial or an extended shutdown.
Trump, by bringing the focus on Social Security and Medicare, is letting lawmakers and citizens know that it is not just about politics. There are real people who depend on these programs every single day.
Besides, he is implying that the financial consequences of a longer shutdown could have a negative effect on the economy as a whole. Aside from that, the government may be forced to make painful choices if they ever run out of money.
What you should do if the shutdown continues
If you depend on Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid or if someone you care for does, here are a few important steps to take:
- Stay informed: Follow credible updates from government sources to know if any services are disrupted.
- Track your benefits: Keep an eye on your payments or claims to ensure everything continues as usual.
- Expect possible delays: Administrative services, phone lines, and support staff may not be available during a shutdown.
- Speak up: Contact your representatives in Congress if you feel the shutdown is putting your benefits at risk.
Recommended:
2025 capital gains tax brackets explained — and what’s new for 2026
Trump’s beef import plan hits snag over Argentina disease warning
Shrimp recall expands as FDA cites possible radiation contamination
