Trump renews Begich endorsement as video overstates Social Security tax relief

President Donald Trump has renewed his endorsement of Republican congressman Nick Begich for Alaska’s 3 November 2026 general election, with an accompanying video suggesting broader Social Security tax relief than the law provides. [1] [7]

In the written Truth Social post dated 3 October 2026, preserved by the Trump’s Truth archive, Trump gives Begich his “Complete and Total Endorsement” for re-election. The archive’s video transcript asks voters to back him on 3 November. Trump had already endorsed him on 8 May 2025 and again on 17 August 2026, the day before Alaska’s primary. [1] [2] [3]

The video transcript credits Begich with a “pivotal vote” for tax cuts, including “no tax on Social Security for our great seniors”. Begich did vote for H.R. 1, the tax package whose provisions on tips, overtime and relief for seniors match those described in the video. The House passed it by 218 votes to 214 on 3 July 2025. [1] [6] [8]

The law provides real tax relief, but not a general exemption for Social Security benefits. The Congressional Research Service says it did not change the calculation of how much of those benefits is taxable. Instead, eligible people aged 65 or over can claim an additional deduction of up to $6,000 per person a year for tax years 2025 to 2028. [7] [8]

The deduction starts to phase out above modified adjusted gross income of $75,000, or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. It reduces taxable income and can bring a person’s income-tax bill to zero. Single filers and married couples filing jointly whose only income is Social Security, however, owe no tax on those benefits with or without the new deduction.