Biden Gives Farewell Address


President Joe Biden’s final address to the nation carried a tone both familiar and foreboding, as the 82-year-old president reflected on his term in office while issuing stern warnings about the challenges America may face in the coming years. Sitting behind the Resolute Desk one last time, surrounded by family and close aides, Biden's speech was a mix of reflection, caution, and sharp critiques aimed at what he characterized as growing threats to democracy, equality, and national unity.

Rather than using his farewell to highlight his administration’s accomplishments in detail, Biden focused much of his remarks on the dangers he believes a second Trump administration could pose to the nation. His warnings painted a dire picture of concentrated wealth and power, echoing Progressive Era rhetoric about “robber barons” and calling out what he labeled as an “oligarchy” forming in the United States. “This is a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra-wealthy people,” Biden cautioned, citing the erosion of basic rights and fair opportunities for everyday Americans. He drew parallels to the struggles of over a century ago, when Americans fought to dismantle monopolies and trusts.

Biden didn’t stop there. He pivoted to the “existential threat” of climate change, pointing to the devastating wildfires in California and Hurricane Helene in North Carolina as evidence. Notably, his administration faced criticism over its handling of environmental preparedness, particularly in Democratic strongholds like California, where wildfire prevention and management have been widely regarded as inadequate. Biden lamented the role of “powerful forces” seeking to undo the environmental and economic progress he claimed his administration achieved, accusing them of prioritizing profit over the public good.

The president also took aim at the rise of what he called a “tech industrial complex,” voicing concerns about the power of big tech and the disinformation plaguing social media platforms. His comments came just days after Meta’s decision to end third-party fact-checking, a move Biden described as further enabling misinformation. “The truth is smothered by lies, both for power and for profit,” he warned, underscoring his belief that unchecked corporate power—whether in tech or elsewhere—was a direct threat to democracy and an informed electorate.

In a brief acknowledgment of his administration’s achievements, Biden touted legislation on gun control and claimed that violent crime had reached a 50-year low under his watch. However, this claim stands on shaky ground, as revised FBI crime data indicates an increase in violent crime during his tenure. Biden also highlighted job creation, crediting his administration with adding nearly 17 million new jobs, though critics note much of this growth was a rebound from the pandemic-induced economic collapse he inherited.

On foreign policy, Biden pointed to a reinvigorated NATO and Ukraine’s continued resistance against Russia as key victories. Yet, historical context complicates this narrative: Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine began during Biden’s tenure as vice president in 2014, and the full-scale invasion in 2022 occurred under his watch. Still, Biden framed his leadership as a stabilizing force on the world stage.

The speech also included Biden’s call for structural reforms, such as imposing an 18-year term limit on Supreme Court justices and banning stock trading by members of Congress. These proposals reflect longstanding frustrations among Democrats and progressives with institutional dysfunction and perceived conflicts of interest in government.

Perhaps most striking was Biden’s parting admonition to the American people. In a direct challenge to his successor, Donald Trump, Biden urged vigilance against the concentration of power and wealth that he argued erodes national unity and trust in democracy. “Now it’s your turn to stand guard,” he told Americans in a final, sobering appeal.

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