BY SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones is criticizing Republican opponent Tommy Tuberville after the U.S. senator described Social Security as a “scam” and a “government-approved Ponzi scheme.”
During a July 29 Senate floor speech, Tuberville argued that Americans could receive greater returns by privately investing their payroll contributions. He also warned that the program’s reserves are approaching depletion and could leave retirees facing reduced benefits.
“Millions of people depend on Social Security,” Jones responded in a campaign video. “Hundreds of thousands of people in Alabama depend on Social Security. They’ve never missed a paycheck, and this guy calls it a ‘scam.’”
Jones also highlighted tax records reportedly showing Tuberville received more than $93,000 in Social Security benefits during the past three years. Receiving benefits for which a worker qualifies is legal; Jones raised the payments to challenge what he portrayed as a contradiction between Tuberville’s criticism and his participation.
Jones further referenced Tuberville’s former hedge-fund business. Tuberville co-founded TS Capital Management with John David Stroud, who later pleaded guilty to fraud. Investors sued Tuberville and Stroud, but Tuberville was never criminally charged. He denied wrongdoing, said he was also victimized and settled the civil lawsuit under undisclosed terms. Alabama securities regulators previously said evidence indicated Tuberville had been unknowingly used to attract investors.
Tuberville’s office said his criticism concerns how Social Security is managed—not whether eligible retirees should collect benefits. His spokesperson said Congress has repeatedly failed to address the program’s finances.
The 2026 Social Security Trustees Report projects retirement-fund reserves will be depleted in late 2032—not that benefits will disappear. Continuing revenue would still cover approximately 78% of scheduled retirement benefits unless Congress acts.
Jones and Tuberville are scheduled to meet in Alabama’s November gubernatorial election.