I’m 71 and retired. I live on Social Security.

On July 3, right after the U.S. House narrowly passed Trump’s budget bill, the Social Security Administration sent me an email saying “The bill ensures nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits…” It included a fanboy boast by Commissioner Frank Bisignano that “this is a historic step forward for America’s seniors.”

After some fact-checking, I learned the budget bill does not eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits. Instead, it includes a temporary tax deduction (until 2028) for some seniors aged 65 and over – a far cry from what Trump has been crowing about.

This isn’t a surprise. Trump uses lies and misinformation every day to hoodwink the public and promote himself as the greatest president ever. He’s everything my Goldwater-Republican mom taught me not to be.

It’s up to us – regular people and our organizations – to push back and challenge him every step of the way. Our democracy and our sanity depend on it.