Social security is already in danger. President Trump’s plan to get rid of income taxes on the benefit won’t save it. In fact, it’ll probably do the opposite.

Trump this week came down firmly in favor of House Republicans' plan for a single sweeping bill, which includes extending $4.5 trillion in tax cuts. House Republicans have a narrow and fractious 218-215 majority, which will make passing that bill difficult.

President Trump has linked two budget items, and that may be a good idea. Trump wants to extend his 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and provide some other tax breaks, and we need to fix Social Security. The link between tax cuts and Social Security exists because one of Trump’s new tax-cutting proposals would exempt Social Security benefits from taxation under the federal income tax.