In a major speech in Chicago, former United States President Joe Biden came out in support of retirement programs that he insists are being targeted by sweeping reforms introduced by President Donald Trump. This is Biden’s first major speech since he left the White House.
Addressing a gathering of disability activists, Biden lamented the Trump administration’s reduction of the federal workforce, especially that done by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He referred to the effects of the cuts as “breathtaking,” highlighting the devastation caused within a short period of fewer than 100 days.
“They’ve used a hatchet to Social Security, forcing 7,000 workers out the door,” Biden said, speaking of the agency that oversees retirement and disability benefits.
The 82-year-old ex-president talked for about 30 minutes, occasionally displaying age-related symptoms that led him to drop out of the re-election bid last year. His speech was criticized, especially by Trump, who pointed out Biden’s speech missteps in a common video clip.
In reply to Biden’s allegations, the Social Security Administration (SSA) charged him with distorting their reform efforts, labeling his claims “lies.” Created in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the SSA pays out $1.4 trillion in benefits to approximately 73 million disabled and elderly Americans annually. Trump had repeatedly promised the public throughout his campaign that he would not reduce these benefits.
DOGE team members have been performing audits of the SSA, which Musk has decried as “the largest Ponzi scheme in history.” Laying off a minimum of 7,000 employees and shutting down offices is part of the plans, with Social Security recipients reporting long wait times for services and technical problems with the benefits portal raising an eyebrow of concern.
“People can’t log into their accounts,” Biden said, getting frustrated over the matter. He took the Trump administration to task, calling into question the motivations behind what they did by saying, “They want to destroy it so they can loot it,” meaning tax breaks for billionaires and corporate giants are the motive behind all of this.
A few Democrats expressed concerns over Biden’s return to the political arena, claiming that it would draw attention away from Trump’s economic woes, such as a trade war with China. Democratic analyst Karen Finney pointed out that it was essential to keep Trump’s policies in the limelight without making Biden a distraction.
Biden left office in January with one of the lowest presidential approval ratings since World War II at 38%, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. Biden’s presidency was also characterized by high inflation and controversial foreign policy matters, prompting many Democrats to hold him responsible for Trump’s comeback.
Presidential historian Timothy Naftali highlighted the need for Biden to talk about Social Security, especially considering his age. “A very important segment of the Democratic base is still older individuals on Social Security, and Joe Biden has always been their champion,” he said.
