Today, President Joe Biden gave a farewell address, warning of the rise of an “oligarchy” in America, which he said threatens the country’s democracy, basic rights, and freedoms. Biden cautioned that a “tech-industrial complex” could pose dangers to the nation, similar to how a “military-industrial complex” did in the past. He criticized social media platforms for neglecting to fact-check and warned of the potential perils of artificial intelligence, which could “spawn new threats to our rights, our way of life, to our privacy, how we work and how we protect our nation.”
Biden also suggested amending the Constitution to make clear that no president is immune from crimes committed while in office, a move seen as targeting his predecessor. He expressed concern about the impact of unchecked power and influence on American democracy, saying, “Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence.”
Biden’s comments did not directly mention his successor, Donald Trump, but his references seemed to be aimed at him. He also wished the incoming Trump administration success and acknowledged that his successor will implement much of the workplace rights deal between Israel and Hamas. Biden’s farewell address also touched on his key accomplishments, including job growth, lower prescription drug costs, and investments in clean energy to fight climate change.
