
In a farewell address from the Oval Office, President Joe Biden concluded his political career in what can be best described as a divisive and partisan rant that tried to summarize his 50 decades of successfully being a professional politician (a period of time where he was able to simultaneously avoid having a private sector job and amass wealth for himself and his family). The address, approximately 18 minutes long, offered a mix of self-congratulation and sharp critiques of his political opponents and broader societal trends.
Biden opened by highlighting a hostage deal reached between Israel and Hamas, framing it as a testament to his administration’s diplomatic efforts. From there, he transitioned into recounting accomplishments on climate policy, health care, job creation, and foreign relations. Notably, he described the importance of respecting America’s foundational institutions, such as Congress, the judiciary, and the press.
However, the president’s address left out key controversies from his term. Missing were any mentions of the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, the pardoning of his son, Hunter Biden, or the role of the pandemic’s economic policies in shaping the current labor market. These omissions drew criticism from some commentators who saw the speech as a selective portrayal of his presidency.
Biden also used the platform to warn about what he described as “dangerous trends” threatening American democracy. He singled out the influence of the ultra-wealthy, the rise of climate-related disasters, and what he called an “avalanche of misinformation and disinformation.” While not directly naming individuals, Biden’s remarks were widely interpreted as critiques of figures like former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
The president reserved sharp criticism for social media platforms, accusing them of enabling the spread of misinformation. His comments came in the wake of Meta’s decision to end partnerships with third-party fact-checkers, moving to a system of user-generated community notes similar to the approach adopted by X (formerly Twitter). Biden argued for holding social media companies accountable, accusing them of prioritizing profit over truth.
In addition to his concerns about technology, Biden proposed reforms to safeguard democracy, including an 18-year term limit for Supreme Court justices and measures against “dark money” in politics. He further called for a constitutional amendment ensuring no president is immune from prosecution for crimes committed while in office—a proposal seen by some as a pointed critique of his predecessor.
The address, framed as a summation of his legacy, also served as a parting shot at his detractors. Biden’s commentary on climate change, for instance, attributed recent natural disasters in the United States to a lack of action on environmental issues, though he avoided acknowledging domestic and international setbacks on this front.
Ultimately, the speech painted a picture of a leader who sought to emphasize his vision for America while deflecting attention from unresolved issues. Biden’s final words as president sought to define his tenure as one of progress and caution against forces he viewed as detrimental to the nation’s future.