Joe Biden has adhered to the unspoken tradition of retreating from the limelight after his presidency in the United States. Nearly three months post-White House, he made his inaugural speech this Tuesday in Chicago, Illinois. The 82-year-old ex-president spoke to a crowd of lawyers and representatives of individuals with disabilities, positioning himself as a defender of Social Security. While he concentrated on this subject and defended his accomplishments in the area, he also took the chance to criticize Donald Trump, whom he never explicitly named. “In fewer than 100 days, this new administration has created so much damage and chaos. It’s quite astonishing. They’ve taken a hatchet to the Social Security Administration,” he remarked.
The speech was relatively predictable, embodying a sense of normalcy and reliability that is now absent from Trump’s appearances. Biden, who made light of his age, as he did during his presidency, appeared somewhat more rejuvenated than he had in the White House. He did not falter or stray from the speech displayed on the transparent screens flanking him.
In an address lasting just shy of half an hour, Biden refrained from directly confronting his predecessor-successor, who continues to disparage him at every chance. However, he did critique the new administration’s actions and their negative impact on Social Security, cautioning about potential deterioration. Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump, has circulated unfounded claims of widespread fraud in Social Security benefits. Biden perceives this as a tactic aimed at undermining the institution: “They’re definitely causing damage. They’re firing first and aiming later.”
After advocating for all the advancements in Social Security benefits and customer service achieved during his tenure, Biden noted that in under 100 days, the new administration has inflicted so much “damage and destruction” that it’s remarkable it could occur so swiftly. He pointed out that the Trump administration has terminated 7,000 employees, including the most seasoned career officials, and is poised to dismiss even more. Biden claimed that individuals attempting to log into the Social Security website are facing access issues due to the halving of the Technology Division, resulting in website crashes.
Threat to pensions
For the first time in history, people are expressing concerns that Social Security benefits could face delays or interruptions, Biden indicated, describing the Social Security program as “more than just a government initiative: it’s a sacred promise.” He remarked that Americans have consistently received their checks during wars, economic downturns, and the pandemic, but now, for the first time, this might change, posing a potential disaster for millions of families, Biden highlighted.
Some Republicans have characterized Social Security as a “Ponzi scheme.” According to Biden, cutting Social Security funding will facilitate the permanence of the 2017 tax cuts, which primarily favor the wealthiest Americans and the largest corporations.
Biden departed with low approval ratings due to rising illegal immigration and inflation throughout his term. He withdrew from the reelection race following a disastrous debate with Trump that raised concerns about his mental sharpness. Among his doubts about stepping down were fears that Kamala Harris would lose to the Republican candidate, which ultimately transpired. Biden still believes he could have won against him again, as he did in 2020.
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