He may no longer sit in the Oval Office, but Joe Biden just proved he’s not done making waves. At a recent conference in Chicago, the former president took the mic — and didn’t hold back when it came to his successor.
Biden’s first speech
Joe Biden and Donald Trump have clashed more than once over the years — and it’s no secret there’s no love lost between the two, especially when it comes to their visions for America.
While Trump charges ahead like a bulldozer in the White House — grabbing headlines over global tariffs — there’s been a lot more happening the past months. From Elon Musk’s surprising appointment as the face of DOGE to major cuts in university funding and efforts to downsize the federal workforce, the current administration has been pushing through sweeping changes on multiple fronts.
On Tuesday, Biden stepped on stage at the Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled conference in Chicago. The 82-year-old spoke warmly about his childhood and family before shifting to what he called “an issue that’s front and center for millions of Americans”: Social Security.
Took aim at Trump
Biden opened by honoring the day’s designation as Social Security National Day of Action by Democrats, saying: ”Everyone in this room fights for people with disabilities who rely on Social Security to survive – and it’s not just the physical side, it’s the mental side. You make sure folks get the benefits they earn after a lifetime of hard work, the work they do is more than just a profession, what you do, it’s a calling.”
He reminded the audience that Social Security isn’t just a policy — it’s personal:
”73 million Americans receive Social Security, from the first pay check for their entire life they pay into social security and in return, they count on social security to be there for them when they’re going to need it.
Folks, we must never ever betray that trust or turn our backs on an obligation – that’s why during my presidency we protected social security and made it stronger.”
Without naming names, Biden took aim at Trump-era executive orders and certain Republicans in Congress, who he says want to ”cut and gut Social Security.”
And he didn’t hold back:
Who the hell do they think they are?
”They want to let social security expire every five years – that was a proposal – unless re-authorized by the Congress. Who the hell do they think they are?”
While Biden touted his administration’s move to secure nearly $2 billion to improve customer service and cut wait times, he slammed his predecessor for raising the debt ceiling after giving what Biden called a ”profligate tax” cut to the super-wealthy.
”Last time this guy had the job he raised the debt ceiling because of an enormous and profligate tax to the super wealthy.”
And on those trying to slash Social Security, Biden had one burning question:
”How do you sleep at night? How do you sleep at night?”
”They’re certainly breaking things, they’re shooting first and aiming later,” Biden said. ”The result is a lot of needless pain and sleepless nights.”
Made one thing clear
”My friend Governor Ali knows what they’re really up to. He says – and I love this quote – ”They want to wreck it so they can rob it.”
And Biden made it clear:
”I refuse to go along with any of it.”
He closed by stressing the duty of elected officials:
”One of the most important jobs of any elected official is to make sure the government works for the people, works for all the people […] and that we keep our promises to the people, all the people.”
Biden’s fiery words drew applause from the crowd —but they also reopened a fierce national debate: Is Social Security a sacred promise or just another government expense waiting to be trimmed?
Should benefits evolve with economic strain, or is any attempt to reform them a betrayal of working Americans? And with the next election looming, will voters reward bold defense — or demand bold reform?