Pelosi, Trump mark 90th anniversary of Social Security by sparring over its future

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Thursday marked the 90th anniversary of when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law, vowing to bring economic stability to older people while giving the U.S. "an economic structure of vastly greater soundness."

In order to mark the occasion, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi hosted an event at a senior home in San Francisco.

Pelosi took time to speak about how Social Security benefits are critical for so many in her San Francisco district.

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"100,000 people depend on Social Security, and each month they receive $196 million," she said.

Across the country in Washington, President Donald Trump celebrated Social Security's anniversary in the Oval Office.

The president blasted Democrats and the Biden administration over how they managed the program.

"We keep hearing stories that in six years, seven years, Social Security will be gone. And it will be if the Democrats ever get involved because they don't know what they're doing," Trump said.

Back in San Francisco, Pelosi directly responded to Trump's remarks.

"It's a lie. That's the response I have to Donald Trump. Once again, it's a lie. Just as it was a lie when he said Social Security was a scam. He knows it's not true," said Pelosi.

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Beyond the political back and forth, there were also personal stories shared on Thursday, talking about the importance of Social Security and what it means for countless members of our community.

That includes Dennis Billups.

Billups, who was born blind, shared his story with the entitlement program.

Telling the audience the difference it made in his life and his family growing up in the Bay Area.

"It's a lifeline that helped us grow from kids to adults to seniors. It made sure we were able to progress in life like other people who didn't have it," he said.

Pelosi says remembering the historic achievement of Social Security remains important today.

But she also warned the crowd against some Republican-led efforts to partially privatize it and called on people to defend the program.

"Nothing is more eloquent to a member of Congress than the voice of their own constituents and they'll be hearing from them," said Pelosi.