⁠Key takeaways from Joe Biden’s farewell speech, explored

On 15 January 2025, President Joe Biden addressed the nation for the last time from the Oval Office. In his 17-minute address, Biden reflected on his tenure as President, shared his concerns, and offered guidance for America's future.

President Joe Biden opened by announcing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal and then highlighted the country's resilience and unity, comparing the country to the Statue of Liberty.

"Like America, the Statue of Liberty is not standing still. Her foot literally steps forward atop a broken chain of human bondage. She’s on the march. And she literally moves. She was built to sway back and forth to withstand the fury of stormy weather, to stand the test of time because storms are always coming. She sways a few inches, but she never falls into the current below. An engineering marvel."

He spoke about the resilience of the democratic institutions that have stood the test of time.

In his 17 minutes, Biden also spoke about his administration's achievements. He listed some of his accomplishments,

“We’ve lowered prescription drug costs for seniors, passed bipartisan gun safety laws, strengthened NATO, and supported Ukraine’s fight for freedom.”

He also mentioned,

“The seeds are planted, and they’ll grow and bloom for decades to come," acknowledging the full effect of his administration's initiatives would not be seen right now.

While addressing Americans directly, Biden urged everyone to participate in the democratic process. He said,

“We have to stay engaged. Everyone deserves a fair shot, not a guarantee, but an even playing field. That’s what makes America, America.”

Biden ended his farewell speech on an optimistic note and reaffirmed his undying faith in the American Ideal. He said,

“To you, the American people, after 50 years of public service, I give you my word. I still believe in the idea for which this nation stands. A nation where the strength of our institutions and the character of our people matter and must endure,” he said.

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Joe Biden's Warnings: Oligarchy, Technology and the Fight for Democracy

Concerned about the increasing concentration of wealth and power, Joe Biden warned that an oligarchy of extreme wealth, power, and influence is taking shape in America that threatens their future democracy. Although Biden didn't take any names, his comment seems to criticize Elon Musk and the power of affluent people in politics.

He emphasized the significance of applying fair norms to everyone by drawing a comparison between this situation and the time of "robber barons." He said,

“They didn’t punish the wealthy. They just made the wealthy play by the rules everybody else had to.”

(Post via X/@AP)

As he considered technological developments, Biden mentioned the risks associated with uncontrolled social media and false information. Joe Biden went on to say,

“Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation, enabling the abuse of power. The truth is smothered by lies told for power and for profit.”

He criticized the decline of fact-checking on social media platforms. He called for accountability in order to guarantee that technology serves the public interest, particularly in safeguarding "our children, our families, and our very democracy."

“Our system of separation of powers and checks and balances may not be perfect, but it has maintained our democracy for nearly 250 years.”

Joe Biden urged Americans to stay watchful and aware and emphasized the need to preserve democratic values.