In his farewell address from the Oval Office on Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden urged Americans to “stand guard” against a “dangerous” oligarchy forming under the incoming administration of Donald Trump. As he prepares to step down next week after his single term in office, the 82-year-old Democrat warned of an ultra-wealthy “tech industrial complex” gaining unchecked power over the American people.
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy,” Biden stated. “That’s a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra-wealthy people.”
Biden specifically called out social media giants, noting that X owner and the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, is set to play a key role in Trump’s incoming administration, while Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is courting the Republican leadership.
“Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation, enabling the abuse of power,” he said.
As Trump prepares to return for a second term on January 20, Biden emphasized the importance of vigilance: “Now it’s your turn to stand guard.”
America’s oldest-ever president has spent much of his final months in office burnishing his legacy before being replaced by the bitter political rival he defeated in the 2020 election—a result Trump still disputes.
Biden’s efforts received a boost earlier on Wednesday when Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release deal. He noted that he had ordered his administration to cooperate with Trump’s team to reach an accord.
The White House also released a more than 100-page dossier outlining Biden’s achievements, ranging from economic recovery to healthcare advancements and climate change initiatives.
In a letter previewing his remarks, Biden reflected on his decades of public service: “I have given my heart and my soul to our nation,” he wrote, adding that it had been the “privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years.”
(With input from AFP)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
