In a stirring farewell address from the Oval Office on Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden urged Americans to “stand guard” against the emergence of a “dangerous” oligarchy under the incoming administration of Donald Trump. As he prepares to step down next week, the 82-year-old president cautioned against the consolidation of power among the ultra-wealthy and the potential threats to American democracy.
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy,” Biden warned. “That’s a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra-wealthy people.”
Biden expressed concerns over the growing influence of social media firms, singling out figures like Elon Musk, owner of X and the world’s richest man, who is set to play a key role in Trump’s incoming administration. He also mentioned Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who has been associated with the Republican platform.
“Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation, enabling the abuse of power,” he stated, highlighting the challenges posed by unchecked technological influence.
As he signed off on Trump’s return for a second term on January 20, Biden called on citizens to remain vigilant. “Now it’s your turn to stand guard,” he said, emphasizing the responsibility of the American people in safeguarding democracy.
Biden, America’s oldest-ever president, has spent his final months in office striving to solidify his legacy before being replaced by his bitter political rival, whom he defeated in the 2020 election—a result that Trump continues to dispute.
His efforts received a boost earlier on Wednesday when Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release deal. Biden noted that he had instructed his administration to cooperate with Trump’s team to achieve this accord.
The White House also released a comprehensive dossier of over 100 pages outlining Biden’s achievements across various sectors, including the economy, healthcare, and climate change.
In a heartfelt letter previewing his remarks, Biden reflected, “I have given my heart and my soul to our nation,” adding that it had been the “privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years.”
As the nation prepares for a transition of power, Biden’s parting message serves as a call to action for Americans to remain engaged and protect the democratic values upon which the country was founded.
(With input from AFP)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
