U.S. President Joe Biden urged Americans on Wednesday to “stand guard” against a “dangerous” oligarchy forming under incoming President Donald Trump as he delivered his 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 Biden 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 stated. “That’s a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra-wealthy people.”
Biden also criticized social media giants, highlighting that Elon Musk, owner of X and the world’s richest man, 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,” Biden cautioned.
As he prepares to hand over the presidency to Trump 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 working to solidify his legacy before being succeeded 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. He noted that he had directed 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, spanning the economy, 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.”
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
