U.S. President Joe Biden urged Americans on Wednesday to “stand guard” against a “dangerous” oligarchy forming under Donald Trump as he delivered a farewell address before stepping down next week.
In a prime-time speech from the Oval Office at the end of his single term, the 82-year-old warned of an ultra-wealthy “tech industrial complex” that could gain 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,” the Democrat said. “That’s a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra-wealthy people.”
Biden criticized social media firms, noting that X owner and the world’s richest man Elon Musk is set to play a key role in Trump’s incoming administration and that Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg is courting the Republican.
“Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation, enabling the abuse of power,” said Biden.
As he signed off ahead of Trump’s return for a second term on January 20, Biden told Americans: “Now it’s your turn to stand guard.”
America’s oldest-ever president spent much of his final months in office trying to burnish his reputation before he is replaced by the bitter political rival he defeated in the 2020 election, a result Trump still disputes.
Biden’s efforts received a boost earlier Wednesday when Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release deal. Biden said he had ordered his administration to cooperate with Trump’s team to reach an accord.
The White House also released a dossier of more than 100 pages outlining Biden’s achievements from the economy to healthcare and climate change.
In a letter previewing his remarks, Biden said, “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.”
(With input from AFP)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
