Biden's first speech since leaving office: Slams Trump over social security cuts

Chicago: Former President Joe Biden warned on Tuesday that his successor, Donald Trump, has severely undermined Social Security, highlighting a crucial issue for millions of Americans as the 82-year-old Democrat made his return to the national stage.

Biden, who has largely remained out of the public eye since leaving the White House in January, delivered an evening address at the national conference of Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled in Chicago. His speech came as Democrats across the country organised a "Social Security Day of Action," raising alarms about the future of the programme.

Biden, speaking to an audience of around 200, claimed that in less than 100 days, the new administration had inflicted significant damage. "They’ve taken a hatchet to the Social Security Administration," Biden said, accusing Trump’s government of dismantling vital services.

The speech, which marked Biden's first major public engagement since leaving office, was centred on the future of Social Security, with Democrats increasingly critical of Trump's management of the agency, which serves over 70 million Americans. Both political parties are anticipating Social Security to be a key issue in the upcoming midterm elections.

Biden, who avoided directly naming Trump during his address, described the political climate as "more divided than ever," referencing the deepening rift in the country. His comments were seen as a veiled critique of Trump and his supporters, though a Biden spokesperson did not clarify whom exactly the former president was referring to.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt swiftly responded, questioning Biden's age and stamina, given that the former president's speech took place in the evening. Leavitt also highlighted a memorandum Trump was expected to sign, aiming to curb Social Security fraud by expanding prosecutorial efforts.

The Social Security Administration quickly pushed back on Biden's remarks, accusing him of misleading the American public. Under the Trump administration, the SSA faced cuts, with thousands of workers laid off and plans for tighter identity-proofing measures for recipients.

In the face of these cuts, many Social Security recipients have reported frustration over long call wait times and system outages. In particular, disabled seniors and low-income families have voiced concerns over notices indicating they were no longer receiving benefits, though the agency later acknowledged these as mistakes.

Biden also addressed the ongoing dispute over Social Security, accusing Trump of seeking to "rob" the system to fund tax cuts for the wealthiest individuals and corporations. Biden’s remarks were supported by disability rights advocate Jason Turkish, who noted that Trump’s presidency caused widespread anxiety for his 32,000 clients, who feared a reduction in benefits.

While Biden has largely retreated from the public eye since his term ended, his return to the stage on this issue signals a continued effort to influence the national discourse. Democratic leaders, including House leader Hakeem Jeffries, expressed their support for Biden's intervention, while others, particularly progressives, have expressed frustration with his continued influence on the party.

Some even argue that Biden's public return could further harm the Democratic Party. Progressive activist Norman Solomon suggested that Biden's role going forward should be minimal, criticising his past leadership and its negative impact on both the party and the nation.