WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden has urged Americans to stand guard against a “dangerous” oligarchy forming under Donald Trump as he delivered a dark farewell address before stepping down next week.
In a primetime speech on Wednesday from the Oval Office at the end of his single term in office, he warned of an ultra-wealthy “tech industrial complex” that he said could gain unchecked power over the American people.
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms,” the 82-year-old Democrat said.
Biden began his speech by touting the legacy of his four years in office, saying it may take time to feel the benefits but that the “seeds were planted” for Americans in the future.
He then lashed out at social media firms, with Musk having turned X into a right-wing megaphone and Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg ending fact-checking operations in the US as he courts Trump. “Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation,” said Biden.
Says Americans being buried under ‘avalanche of misinformation’
“The free press is crumbling. Editors are disappearing. Social media is giving up on fact checking. The truth is smothered by lies told for power and for profit.”
He recalled a stark warning issued by president Dwight Eisenhower in his own farewell address in 1961 about the dangers of an out-of-control military industrial complex. “I’m equally concerned about the potential rise of a tech industrial complex,” he said.
He also cautioned over the rise of AI, saying that America must take the lead over China on the transformative technology.
“It’s been the highest honour of my life to lead you as commander in chief,” said Biden. Signing off as Trump returns for a second term on Monday, Biden told Americans: “Now it’s your turn to stand guard.”
In emotional scenes, First Lady Jill Biden, son Hunter and Vice President Kamala Harris were in the Oval Office as Biden delivered his political swansong.
Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2025
