Biden Delivers His Farewell Address To The Nation From The Oval Office

On Wednesday night, President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office for the first time since dropping out of the presidential race, reflecting on his accomplishments, appealing to defend democracy and explaining his decision to forgo a second term and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, urging a new generation to take his place.

Although Biden’s appearance was not a formal farewell address, with six months remaining in his term, it marked the start of his long goodbye after nearly 50 years of public service.

In his familiar raspy voice, the president delivered his quintessential speech, discussing American exceptionalism, family values, selective achievements and his favorite phrases about an “inflection point” and “saving democracy.”

However, while Biden acknowledged that it was time to “pass the torch to a new generation,” he did not address his age or health which led many Democrats to desert him after his disastrous debate performance last month. 

Biden did not explain how his initial confidence in defeating former President Donald Trump shifted to the decision to forgo a second term, offering no details on how he reached this conclusion.

Instead, Biden used his national address as an opportunity to reset the narrative, telling his story on his own terms as he begins to exit the stage and reminding voters why they supported him initially.

“My fellow Americans, it’s been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years,” declared Biden. “Nowhere else on Earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and in Claymont, Deleware, one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as the president of the United States. But here I am.”

Biden outlined his agenda for the coming months, which included consolidating domestic gains, seeking peace in the Middle East, growing the economy, preventing Russia from overtaking Ukraine and overhauling the Supreme Court.

As attention shifts to Harris, Biden took the opportunity to credit himself for his accomplishments, recalling that he inherited a country facing “the worst pandemic in the century, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War,” and guided it toward improvement.

Overlooking setbacks, he boasted of creating “the strongest economy in the world,” citing rising wages, decreasing inflation, an expanding manufacturing sector and a shrinking racial wealth gap.

He highlighted appointing the first black woman to the Supreme Court, combating climate change, lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, expanding healthcare access, reducing violent crime rates, decreasing border crossings and working to reduce gun violence.

Just hours before his speech, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden believed he could serve effectively not just for the next six months but for another four years.

However, in his speech, Biden admitted that most Americans did not share this view.

“In recent weeks, it has become clear to me that I need to unite my party in this critical endeavor,” said Biden. “I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future, all merited a second term. But nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving democracy. That includes personal ambition.”

Biden also referenced Trump, saying, “We have to decide. Do we still believe in honesty, decency, respect, freedom, justice and democracy?… Does character in public life matter? I believe you know the answer to these questions because I know you, the American people.”