Biden attacks Trump and the economy in today’s speech, the first since leaving the White House

In his first public speech since leaving the White House on January 20, former President Joe Biden rebuked President Donald Trump’s administration. He mentioned several talking points in his 28-minute-long public address, including threats to Social Security and economic stability.

Speaking at a bipartisan conference in downtown Chicago late Tuesday, Biden accused the Trump administration of slashing vital federal programs and stopping essential services used by millions of Americans. 

His remarks focused on recent workforce cuts at the Social Security Administration (SSA) and potential disruptions to benefit payments.

Biden: Trump is a hatchet to Social Security

“Fewer than 100 days, this new administration has done so much damage and so much destruction,” he said. “It’s kind of breathtaking it could happen that soon.”

He lambasted Trump’s team for forcing 7,000 employees out of the SSA, including many experienced career officials. According to Biden, even more layoffs are planned.

“Already we can see the effects,” Biden continued. “Thousands of people use the Social Security website every single day to check on their benefits and submit their claims. But now, the technology division has been cut in half. The website’s crashing. People can’t sign onto their accounts.”

Biden mentioned the consequences of the administration’s cuts could soon lead to something previously unimaginable: missed or delayed Social Security payments. He reiterated that throughout US history, Social Security checks had always gone out, regardless of national crises.

“In the 90 years since Franklin Roosevelt created the Social Security system, people have always gotten their checks. During wartime, recessions, a pandemic — no matter what, they got them.”

The former US president propounded that this could be the first time in US history that a delay or payment interruption is a realistic concern.

“It would be a calamity for millions of families, millions of people,” he argued

Biden’s speech also included harsh words directed towards the Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, who had spooked US citizens with sentiments about delaying Social Security checks.

“The Secretary of Commerce doesn’t seem to get it,” Biden told the attendees. “Or, based on his comments, he doesn’t even seem to care.”

Without naming him directly, Biden referred to a public statement in which the Secretary nerfed the impact of missed checks, citing his 94-year-old mother-in-law as someone who wouldn’t be affected.

“He said his 94-year-old mother-in-law wouldn’t complain,” Biden recounted. “She’s probably a lovely woman. No kidding. Her son-in-law is a billionaire.”

Biden questioned if the millions of elderly Americans living without family wealth could survive such a disruption.

“What about that 94-year-old mother living all by herself? Are all the retirees who depend on that monthly check to feed themselves? All those people with disabilities who have no other source?” he asked.

That’s who you fight for

Biden turned to the values behind the Social Security program and condemned what he called a growing callousness among some in power.

“We heard how others, empowered and emboldened by this administration, talk about Social Security. One of them called it a Ponzi scheme. A Ponzi scheme? What the hell are they talking about?” he said, referring to the comments made by White House advisor and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) co-founder, billionaire Elon Musk.

Biden insisted that Social Security is not a giveaway but a benefit Americans have earned.

“People earn these benefits. They paid into that benefit. They rely on that benefit. And no one, no one, no one should take it away,” he beckoned.

Biden urged listeners to continue standing up for vulnerable Americans, especially seniors and disabled individuals who depend on the program.

“That’s who you fight for,” he reckoned. “That’s who desperately needs you.”