Biden Issues Dark Warning In Farewell Address: ‘Today An Oligarchy Is Taking Shape In America’

After five decades in political office, President Joe Biden bid farewell from the Oval Office, warning of an oligarchy taking shape in America. 

Biden expressed grave concern about the “dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultrawealthy people.”

The president said that the dangerous concentration of power threatens Americans’ sense of unity. He added that it causes “distrust” that makes people feel like they don’t have a “fair shot” in democracy.

“The truth is smothered by lies told for power and for profit,” Biden said. 

His speech echoed that of then-President Dwight Eisenhower’s 1961 farewell address when he warned about the dangers of an emerging “military-industrial complex.” Biden sees today’s threat as coming from “a tech industrial complex.”

“Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation enabling the abuse of power,” Biden said. “We must hold the social platforms accountable to protect our children, our families, and their very democracy from the abuse of power.”

“Artificial intelligence is the most consequential technology of our time, perhaps of all time. Nothing offers more profound possibilities and risk for our economy and our security our society our very humanity,” Biden continued. He said it even has the potential to help answer his call to “end cancer as we know it.” 

“Unless safeguards are in place, AI could spawn new threats to our rights, our way of life, our privacy, how we work, and how we protect our nation,” Biden said.

Biden began the speech by recognizing his administration’s efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. He also spoke proudly of what his administration accomplished regarding the economy, gun safety and climate change as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The seeds are planted, and they’ll grow, and they’ll bloom for decades to come,” Biden said. “I wish the incoming administration success because I want America to succeed.”

“I’ve held my duty to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition of power to ensure we lead by the power of our example,” he added.

Without naming President-elect Donald Trump, Biden suggested that the Constitution should be amended “to make clear that no president—no president—is immune from crimes that he or she commits while in office.”