Joe Biden delivered his farewell address to the nation by sounding the alarm about an “oligarchy” of the ultra-rich taking hold in the country that along with a “technology-industrial complex,” is violating the rights of Americans and endangering the future of democracy.
A speech the president delivered with the satisfaction of possibly having succeeded in getting Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire and the release of hostages. A diplomatic success for him and his Administration because, in the end, the agreement is what the White House had proposed in May of last year.
Speaking from the Oval Office as he prepares to hand over power on Monday to President-elect Donald Trump, Biden expressed concerns about the accumulation of power and wealth in the hands of a small circle of people.
It is the president’s fifth formal address to the nation from the Oval Office. He last made it six months ago when he announced his decision not to run for reelection
This a speech that was not only his farewell from the White House, but also marked the conclusion of his long political career that began in 1973.
Biden opened his speech not by talking about his agenda or policies, but rather about the United States and his vision of what the country represents in the world. He expressed concern that the rise of Trumpism poses a direct threat to the American dream.
“An oligarchy with extreme wealth, power and influence is taking shape in America today that literally threatens our entire democracy, our fundamental rights and our freedoms,” the president said, later adding that the tax code must be reformed by ”not giving the biggest tax cuts to billionaires.”
His was more of an alarm for the country than a farewell speech, as some of America’s arch-billionaires since Trump’s victory have joined his court. Elon Musk spent more than $100 million to help Trump get elected, and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos made multimillion-dollar donations to Trump’s inaugural committee and went to Mar-a-Lago to talk to him.
Biden promised a peaceful transition of power and wished success to the new administration and America. He went on to suggest 18-year term limits for Supreme Court justices and a ban on members of Congress trading corporate stock. And he said “we must amend the Constitution to make it clear that no president is immune from the crimes he commits while in office. “Our system of separation of powers, checks and balances may not be perfect, but it has maintained our democracy for nearly 250 years, longer than any other nation in history that has ever attempted such a bold experiment.”
He also warned of the “profound possibilities and risks” that come with artificial intelligence urging us to ensure that AI works for good and that America guides its development.
“In the age of AI, it is more important than ever that people rule. And as the land of the free, America, not China, must lead the world in the development of AI,” he added.
At the end of his speech, Biden expressed his gratitude to several people, including members of his administration, military and rescue workers. He thanked Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he called an “incredible partner” during his tenure as president, and his family and first lady, Jill Biden. “My eternal thanks to you, the American people,” Biden concluded. “After 50 years of public service, I give you my word. I still believe in the idea that this nation represents. A nation in which the strength of our institutions, the character of our people matter and must endure. Now it’s your turn to stand guard.”
