Biden Criticizes Trump’s Approach to Social Security in First Public Remarks Since Leaving Office
Chicago — Former President Joe Biden delivered his first public remarks since leaving office, focusing on the Trump administration’s handling of Social Security, which he argued was jeopardizing the future of millions of Americans who rely on it.
Speaking for about 30 minutes Tuesday to a group of disability advocates, Biden, who spoke in a soft and measured tone, refrained from directly naming former President Donald Trump. Instead, he referred to him as “this guy,” and chose to focus his remarks on broader criticisms of the former administration’s actions.
Biden expressed concern about the direction the country was headed under the current leadership, stating that in just a few months, the new administration had caused “so much damage and destruction.” He added, “I’ve been doing this for a long time, but I’ve never seen the country so divided.” While Biden didn’t clarify exactly who he meant by the “30%” he mentioned, he emphasized that this group lacked empathy, saying, “It’s roughly 30%, but it’s a 30% that has no heart.”
The White House quickly responded. Press Secretary Steven Cheung lambasted Biden’s remarks as “incoherent,” accusing the former president of having a “feeble mind” and descending into “new lows.” Cheung reiterated Trump’s commitment to protecting Social Security, claiming that anyone who suggests otherwise is either “stupid or an outright liar.”
While Trump had publicly pledged not to cut Social Security, his actions, including staffing changes at the agency under billionaire Elon Musk, have sparked controversy. Musk himself made headlines for calling Social Security a “Ponzi scheme,” a comment that Biden referenced in his speech.
“What are they talking about when they call it a Ponzi scheme?” Biden said. “People earn these benefits. They paid into them. They rely on them. And no one should be allowed to take that away.”
Biden also made an indirect reference to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, criticizing his detachment from the struggles of ordinary Americans. Biden pointed out comments Lutnick made about his 94-year-old mother-in-law not being concerned if her Social Security check didn’t arrive. “The current secretary of commerce doesn’t seem to get it,” Biden said. “What about those retirees who depend on that monthly check to survive? What about those with disabilities?”
Despite facing frequent verbal attacks from Trump, Tuesday’s speech marked Biden’s first public remarks since leaving office on January 20. The speech, delivered at the Sofitel Hotel in Chicago, was notably quiet and intimate, with the audience straining to hear him at times.
Soon after, Trump shared a video clip on Truth Social, focusing on a moment from Biden’s speech where he recalled his childhood in Scranton. Trump’s clip omitted the context where Biden had explained that his outrage over the racial segregation he witnessed as a child led him to pursue a life of political activism.
In his usual fashion, Trump has criticized Biden’s presidency as a disaster, calling him the “worst president in American history.” He frequently accuses Biden of mishandling crucial issues like border security and the economy. However, Trump’s own economic policies have led to instability in the stock market, further complicating the narrative of his presidency.
Biden’s remarks on Tuesday came at a time when the future of Social Security is a growing concern, especially as some of Trump’s allies are advocating for a major overhaul of the program. Biden’s comments reflected the anxiety many beneficiaries feel about the possible erosion of benefits.
While Biden’s speech didn’t address his own political future, his public re-emergence comes amid ongoing discussions within the Democratic Party about his viability for a second term. Biden’s age and mental sharpness have been the subject of debate, particularly after a series of public missteps and struggles during the 2024 campaign. Even though Vice President Kamala Harris was expected to run in his place, she ultimately lost to Trump in the general election, including key battleground states.
Biden had previously stated that he felt he could have won the 2024 election if he had stayed in the race, though he admitted uncertainty about his ability to serve another full term.
