Biden Critiques Trump Administration's Social Security Policies in Keynote Speech

Biden targeted the Trump administration's approach to Social Security, emphasizing its importance to millions of Americans during a disability rights event, without naming Trump directly.

Former President Joe Biden delivered a pointed critique of his successor's policies concerning welfare during his first speech since leaving the White House, speaking at a conference centered on disability rights in Chicago. In his remarks, he charged that the Trump administration had "taken a hatchet" to vital social welfare programs like Social Security. Biden's comments come as the White House, under new leadership and spearheaded by Elon Musk, is reportedly pushing for staff reductions at the Social Security Administration (SSA), which is responsible for distributing approximately $1.6 trillion (£1.2 trillion) in benefits annually.

Without mentioning Trump by name, Biden declared, "In fewer than 100 days, this new administration has done so much damage and so much destruction. It's kind of breathtaking." He emphasized that Social Security is a "sacred promise" and that its security is crucial for the lives of millions of Americans, particularly the elderly and those unable to work due to disabilities. Approximately 67 million Americans rely on this program for their base income.

Political tensions heightened as Biden's speech followed accusations from Democratic leaders asserting that the Trump administration aims to implement significant cuts to Social Security. These fears have been amplified by moves made by Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, which has targeted 7,000 job cuts at the SSA since February. Musk has likened the Social Security system to "the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time."

While Trump has vowed to address fraudulent claims and payments to undocumented immigrants without making major cuts to the benefits system, his administration's stance has drawn scrutiny. On the same day as Biden's speech, Trump signed an order aimed at restricting Social Security access for illegal immigrants and "other ineligible people." In response to Biden's assertions at the Chicago event, Trump's press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated that the former president is "absolutely certain" about protecting benefits for "law-abiding tax-paying American citizens and seniors."

Beyond social welfare issues, Biden has remained largely out of the public eye since leaving office, recently signing with Creative Artists Agency in February, marking a return to the entertainment industry after his presidential tenure that lasted from 2017 to 2020.