Biden, 82, points ominous warnings about Trump and Elon Musk in farewell speech after 50 years in politics

President Joe Biden used the farewell speech of his 50-year-political career to issue ominous warnings about his successor Donald Trump and the wealthy allies in his inner circle.

The 82-year-old was emotional as he addressed the nation for the final time from the Oval Office on Wednesday night, and compared those coming into power to ‘robber barons’ of the early 20th century.

‘I want to warn the country of some things that give me great concern. And this is a dangerous concern. And that’s the dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra wealthy people. And the dangerous consequences if their abuse of power is left unchecked,’ he said. 

‘Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights, the freedoms and the fair shot for everyone to get ahead,’ he added, in a reference to the billionaire advisers to Trump, which include adviser Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, who visited Mar-a-Lago last week.

Biden opened his speech from the Resolute Desk by taking credit for the Gaza ceasefire deal that will end the war in Hamas and going back over the accomplishments from his four years in office.

The goal of his speech was to make his case for his presidency as he reluctantly leaves the White House after five decades in politics. And, after four years marred by slip-ups and gaffes during public appearances, he delivered the address from the teleprompter without mistake as he gazed at the camera.

‘This will be my final address to you from the American people, from the Oval Office, from this desk as president. And I’ve been thinking a lot about who we are and maybe even more importantly, who we should be,’ he said.

In his speech, which lasted about 20 minutes, Biden didn’t mention Trump by name but said he ‘wished the incoming administration’s success because I want America to succeed.’

‘That’s why I have held my duty to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition of power, to ensure we lead by the power of our example. I have no doubt that America is in a position to continue to succeed.’

He also tried to cement his legacy as president, arguing the full affects of his time in office haven’t been felt yet.

‘It will take time to feel the full impact of all we’ve done together. But the seeds are planted and they’ll grow and they’ll bloom for decades to come,’ he said.

First lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden and Melissa Cohen sat along the side of the Oval Office to listen to Biden speech.

Biden grandchildren Finnegan and Beau Biden were with them. 

Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff also were present. 

Biden thanked his family and his vice president. 

When he did so, Jill Biden reached over to take Harris’ hand – a move that came amid reports the two women do not get along.

‘It’s been the highest honor of my life to lead you as commander in chief and of course, to Kamala and her incredible partner. The historic vice president. She and Doug have become like family. And to me, family is everything,’ he said.

‘My deepest appreciation to our amazing first lady who was with me in the Oval today, for our entire family. You’re the love of my life and the lives of my love, my eternal thanks to you, the American people.’

Jill Biden gave him a hug and a kiss after his remarks. Biden also hugged other family members, including his grandson Baby Beau. 

His speech combined his message of hope with an ominous vision of the future. It was peppered with other warnings: particularly about the ‘tech industrial complex’ and climate change.

‘I’m equally concerned about the potential rise of a tech industrial complex that could pose real dangers for our country, as well. Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation, enabling the abuse of power. The free press is crumbling, editors are disappearing,’ he said.

‘Social media is giving up on fact checking,’ he added in a direct hit at Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who announced his company was giving that up. Zuckerberg is attending Trump’s inauguration and co-hosting an event for the president-elect.

‘The truth is smothered by lies told for power and for profit. We must hold the social platforms accountable to protect our children, our families and our very democracy from the abuse of power,’ Biden said.

Biden also referred to the wildfires burning parts of Los Angeles. 

‘The existential threat of climate change has never been clearer. Just look across the country, from California to North Carolina.’

‘Powerful forces want to wield their unchecked influence to eliminate the steps we’ve taken to tackle the climate crisis, to serve their own interests for power and profit. We must not be bullied into sacrificing the future, the future of our children and our grandchildren. We must keep pushing forward and push faster. There’s no time to waste,’ he warned.

He also called for 18-year term limits on the Supreme Court that overturned Roe vs. Wade – with several justices appointed in Trump’s first term.

And he said members of Congress should be banned from trading stocks.

Biden also gave an odd comparison to the Statue of Liberty. 

‘Like America, the Statue of Liberty is not standing still. Her foot literally steps forward atop a broken chain of human bondage. She’s on the march, and she literally moves. She was built to sway back and forth, to withstand the fury of stormy weather, to stand the test of time. Because storms are always coming. She sways a few inches, but she never falls into the current below. An engineering marvel,’ he said.

‘The statue of liberty is also an enduring symbol of the soul of our nation, a soul shaped by forces that bring us together and by forces that pull us apart. And yet, through good times and tough times, we’ve withstood it all.’

He concluded with his thanks.

‘After 50 years of public service, I give you my word, I still believe in the idea for which this nation stands. A nation where the strength of our institutions and the character of our people matter and must endure. Now it’s your turn to stand guard. May you all be the keeper of the flame, may you keep faith. I love America. You love it too. God bless you all. May God protect our troops. Thank you for this great honor,’ he said.

Biden, 82, has spent the past few weeks trying to cement his legacy, going on a farewell tour of sorts.

The president laid out his foreign policy accomplishments on Monday. On Wednesday he announced a ceasefire deal in the Middle East designed to end the war in Gaza and bristled at a question of whether Donald Trump also deserved credit.

The White House social media accounts have been in over drive, posting lists of Biden’s accomplishments: his infrastructure law, the clean energy initiatives and bringing the country out of the COVID pandemic. 

Biden, in a letter to the nation released Wednesday morning, described the country as ‘stronger, more prosperous and more secure’ than it was four years ago.

‘It has been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years,’ Biden wrote.

‘Nowhere else on Earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware, one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as President of the United States,’ he said. 

‘I have given my heart and my soul to our nation. And I have been blessed a million times in return with the love and support of the American people.’ 

He also touted his economic record, which included a string of more than 40 consecutive months of job, but also a period of high inflation that spiked concerns about his handling of the economy and contributed to his election loss.

‘Today, we have the strongest economy in the world and have created a record 16.6 million new jobs. Wages are up. Inflation continues to come down. The racial wealth gap is the lowest it’s been in 20 years.’ 

‘We’re rebuilding our entire nation—urban, suburban, rural, and Tribal communities. Manufacturing is coming back to America,’ Biden wrote.

But his presidency had its failures, including his quest to expand social services, including lowering the cost of child care and sustaining programs to cut child poverty.

There was the disastrous 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan where 13 American soldiers were killed in an airport bombing. And his controversial pardon of his son Hunter.

Ukraine’s war with Russia also hangs over the final days of the Biden’s presidency. 

Biden himself has been wistful as his prepares to leave the White House on January 20th.

He’s even argued he could have beaten Donald Trump in the November election.

‘It’s presumptuous to say that, but I think yes,’ Biden told USA Today, citing polling he reviewed.

He reluctantly ended his presidential ambitions in July, after a disastrous debate performance against Trump led Democrats leaders to nudge him out the door, including former President Barack Obama and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Both had kind words for Biden on Wednesday night. 

‘Four years ago, in the middle of a pandemic, we needed a leader with the character to put politics aside and do what was right. That’s what @JoeBiden did,’ Obama wrote on X.

‘At a time when our economy was reeling, he drove what would become the world’s strongest recovery – with 17 million new jobs, historic wage gains, and lower health care costs. He passed landmark legislation to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure and address the threat of climate change. I’m grateful to Joe for his leadership.’

Pelosi called him ‘one of the most consequential presidents in American history.’

‘Under President Biden’s visionary leadership, America has been unequivocal in our commitment to defending Democracy here at home and around the world – and our NATO alliance is stronger and more unified than ever. America was fortunate to have a strong, steady, wise commander-in-chief honoring and promoting American values in the global arena,’ she said.

‘With love and gratitude, I salute President Biden and Vice President Harris for always believing in the possibilities of America and building a stronger and fairer future for all of America’s families.’ 

Biden leaves office with the lowest approval numbers of his presidency. A CNN poll found only 36% of adults say they approve of the way Biden handled his time in office, matching his previous low mark in CNN polling during his term.

Trump, meanwhile, comes in with a mandate, having won the popular vote and every battleground state.

Biden, however, has vowed to stay a part of public life. 

‘I’m not going to be out of sight or out of mind,’ he said last week when asked about his post-presidential life. 

He will visit Charleston, South Carolina on Sunday – his final full day as president of the United States. His victory state’s primary put him on the road to winning the Democratic nomination in the 2020 presidential race.

He and Jill Biden will attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday. Then they will head to California, NBC News reported, to stay in Santa Ynez, where they spent time in August on vacation.

After Trump takes the oath of office, they will board the blue-and-white 747 for their journey west.

But it will no longer be Air Force One – the designation for the plane that carries the President of the United States. The flight will simply be known as Special Mission.