Byron Donalds faces heated exchange at Estero town hall over social security database access

Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) encountered a lively and vocal crowd during a town hall meeting at Estero High School in Estero, Florida. The event, attended by constituents with diverse perspectives, became particularly animated when a question was raised about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, and its access to Social Security files.

The question, posed by an audience member, asked whether Donalds approved of “Elon and DOGE invading our Social Security files,” prompting immediate applause from parts of the crowd. Donalds responded by stating, “Elon Musk has been authorized by the president of the United States,” referring to the current administration’s directive. His remarks were met with a mix of cheers and audible dissent, with some attendees shouting and others clapping.

Attempting to maintain order, Donalds urged the audience not to leave and to hear “the full story.” He then referenced the previous administration, saying, “The previous president, President B—,” before being interrupted by further applause and shouting. Undeterred, Donalds continued, asserting that during President Joe Biden’s administration, “he authorized 53 students to have access to the same database.” He repeated, “53 students to have access to the Social Security database,” emphasizing his point to a crowd that responded with both applause and vocal objections.

Donalds sought to frame the discussion as a matter of policy consistency, noting that the issue of database access spanned multiple administrations. He called for a reasoned conversation, stating, “If you’re going to have a conversation about policy,” though his words were partially drowned out by the crowd’s reactions. The congressman stood firm, encouraging attendees to listen as he aimed to provide a complete account of the issue.

The town hall, held at 21900 River Ranch Rd, proceeded with further questions, but the exchange over Social Security data access remained a focal point of the nearly two-hour event. Donalds’ remarks highlighted ongoing debates about federal database security and administrative oversight.

Watch the full video of the event below. The part of the town hall meeting reported above starts at 24:01.

Rep. Byron Donalds April 2025 Town Hall – Live From Estero https://t.co/XiiXxnngsy

— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) April 21, 2025