In his final speech as President of the United States, Joe Biden warned of "an oligarchy of extreme wealth, power, and influence" and "a deluge of misinformation and disinformation that enables abuse of power."
In a 17-minute farewell address broadcast live on television on Wednesday (local time), he addressed the nation and his "fellow Americans" from the Oval Office.
He began by highlighting the agreement between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza (reached on Wednesday evening Belgian time), the release of hostages, and a prisoner exchange, negotiated by a team from his administration.
Biden also listed other achievements of his administration, including the most significant gun law in 30 years, the creation of more than 17 million new jobs, and the highest-ever number of people with access to healthcare.
Resilience of democracy
The outgoing US president argued for democracy and the systems that sustain it, emphasising the importance of respecting the institutions that govern a free society, including the presidency, Congress, the courts, and a free press.
Biden acknowledged the resilience of democracy over the past four years and warned against the concentration of power in the hands of a few ultra-wealthy individuals. He expressed concern over the emergence of an oligarchy that threatens democracy, basic rights, and equal opportunities, referring indirectly to influential figures such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg.
Related News
- Who will be performing at Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday?
- Gaza ceasefire: Israeli cabinet yet to vote on deal
He advocated for fair economic practices, linking them to climate change efforts and the dangers posed by unchecked powerful forces aiming to undermine environmental protections for personal gain. In the speech, Biden highlighted other threats, including misinformation, disinformation, and the transformative potential and risks of artificial intelligence for the economy, freedom, and society.
Finally, Biden addressed the threat posed by the concentration of wealth and power, which undermines unity, breeds distrust, and discourages democratic participation, reiterating that a fair chance is fundamental to America's identity.
Donald Trump will be officially inaugurated for his second term as President of the United States on Monday 20 January.