Joe Biden came out swinging in his first public speech since leaving office, delivering a passionate defense of Social Security while taking pointed jabs at Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
Speaking at a national conference for disability advocates in Chicago, Biden accused Trump and his allies of wreaking havoc on key federal programs — especially the Social Security Administration.
Without naming Trump directly, Biden’s message was clear. He said the new administration had already caused “so much damage and destruction” in less than 100 days, calling their actions “breathtaking” in the worst way.
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Social Security is more than a paycheck deduction
Biden, now 82, began his speech with stories from his childhood before pivoting to the urgent issue at hand: protecting Social Security — a program he called a “sacred promise” to more than 70 million Americans.
“From their very first paycheck, folks have been putting money into it, expecting it to be there when they need it,” he said. “We must never betray that trust.”
Not all presidents treat Social Security the same
Biden contrasted his own efforts to strengthen Social Security — including nearly $2 billion in funding to improve services — with Trump’s actions, such as signing executive orders to restrict access and limit benefits, especially for undocumented immigrants.
He also warned about ongoing Republican efforts to slash Social Security. “They want to let it expire every five years unless Congress re-authorizes it,” he said. “Who the hell do they think they are?”
Biden takes aim at billionaire rhetoric
The former president didn’t hold back on Elon Musk either, criticizing him for calling Social Security a “Ponzi scheme.” He also called out billionaire Howard Lutnick — Trump’s former commerce secretary — for suggesting on a podcast that his 94-year-old mother-in-law wouldn’t mind missing a Social Security check.
Biden scoffed at the remark. “Her son-in-law is a billionaire. What about the 94-year-old mother living all by herself?”
He likened the current administration’s approach to reckless Silicon Valley culture: “They’re acting like tech startups — move fast, break things. And that’s exactly what they’re doing: breaking things.”
This isn’t just politics, it’s people’s lives
Biden reminded the audience that Social Security has never failed — not during war, recession, or pandemic — and warned that this reliability is now under threat. He ended his speech with a familiar message: unity, fairness, and the need for a government that works for all.
“Nobody’s king,” he said. “We believe in fairness. And that’s the America we can never forget or walk away from.”