Joe Biden has used his first speech since leaving office to criticise the Trump administration's welfare policies. The ex-US president told a conference in Chicago that the government had "taken a hatchet" to the Social Security system, which Donald Trump and Elon Musk - who is leading the White House's cost-cutting efforts - say is beset by fraud. The administration wants to cut staff at the agency responsible for spending $1.6 trillion (£1.2 trillion) in benefits a year. Biden did not refer to Trump by name during his speech on Tuesday, but said: "In fewer than 100 days, this new administration has done so much damage and so much destruction. It's kind of breath-taking." He described Social Security as a "sacred promise", adding: "We know just how much Social Security matters to people's lives." Biden - who was speaking at a disability rights event - did not address his departure from the White House or the 2024 presidential election. The Social Security Agency (SSA) provides a base income for people in the US who are retired or cannot work because of a disability. It covers about 67 million Americans, primarily older citizens. Democratic politicians have accused the Trump administration of planning sweeping Social Security cuts. The White House accuses them of scaremongering, citing the Republican president's promises never to cut Social Security payments to American retirees. Trump has previously said he intends only to target fraudulent claims and payments to illegal immigrants. Members of Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency have been making cuts to the agency staff since February, with the target of slashing 7,000 jobs - about 10% of its total staff. Musk has described Social Security as "the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time". On Tuesday, Trump signed an order preventing illegal immigrants and "other ineligible people" from obtaining social security payments. Before Biden's Chicago speech,Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the president was "absolutely certain" about protecting benefits for "law-abiding tax-paying American citizens and seniors". "He will always protect that programme," she added. In a post on X, the SSA - which is now controlled by a Trump appointee - said Biden had been "lying" during his Chicago speech. Since leaving office, Biden has kept a relatively low profile. In February,he signedwith Creative Artists Agency, the Los Angeles talent agency that represented him between 2017-20. Barack Obamaalso criticisedthe Trump administration on Tuesday, saying on X that its decision to freeze more than $2bn (£1.5bn) in federal funds for Harvard University was "unlawful and ham-handed". Trump is freezing the fund becauseHarvardsaid it would not make changes to its hiring, admissions and teaching practices that he argues are key to fighting alleged antisemitism on campus. Follow the twists and turns of Trump's second term with North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher's weeklyUS Politics Unspunnewsletter. Readers in the UK cansign up here. Those outside the UK cansign up here.
Biden attacks Trump in first speech since leaving White House
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Biden Critiques Trump Administration's Welfare Policies in Chicago Speech"
Bbc News
6.3
TruthLens AI Summary
In his first public address since leaving the White House, former President Joe Biden delivered a speech in Chicago where he criticized the welfare policies implemented by the Trump administration. He expressed concerns over what he described as a significant threat to Social Security, claiming that the current government has 'taken a hatchet' to the system that provides essential support to millions of Americans. Biden’s remarks were aimed at the cost-cutting measures spearheaded by Trump and Elon Musk, who have faced accusations from Democratic politicians regarding potential sweeping cuts to Social Security. Although Biden refrained from mentioning Trump by name, he condemned the new administration's actions, asserting that 'in fewer than 100 days, this new administration has done so much damage and so much destruction,' highlighting the importance of Social Security as a 'sacred promise' that impacts the lives of many individuals, especially the elderly and those unable to work due to disabilities.
The Social Security Administration, which distributes approximately $1.6 trillion in benefits annually to around 67 million Americans, has been a focal point of contention. Members of Musk's Department of Government Efficiency have been tasked with reducing the agency's workforce by 10%, equating to around 7,000 jobs. In response to Biden's speech, Trump's press secretary asserted that the former president is 'absolutely certain' about protecting benefits for American citizens and seniors, dismissing Democratic claims as scare tactics. Meanwhile, Trump signed an executive order aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from receiving Social Security payments, further igniting the ongoing debate over the program's future. Following Biden's address, the SSA, now led by a Trump appointee, accused him of dishonesty in his statements, marking a continuation of the political tensions surrounding Social Security and welfare policies in the United States. Additionally, former President Barack Obama also criticized the Trump administration's recent actions, including a freeze on federal funds for Harvard University, underscoring the heightened political discourse as both parties prepare for the upcoming elections.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The speech by former President Joe Biden criticizing the Trump administration's welfare policies highlights a deepening political divide over Social Security and government spending. The focus on alleged cuts and fraud allegations reflects broader ideological clashes between Democrats and Republicans, with implications for public trust in social safety nets.
Political Motivations and Public Perception
Biden’s decision to target Trump’s welfare policies without naming him directly suggests a strategic effort to frame the Republican agenda as harmful to vulnerable groups. By emphasizing Social Security as a "sacred promise," Biden appeals to Democratic voters and older Americans, who rely heavily on these benefits. The omission of references to the 2024 election or his own presidency implies a deliberate focus on policy critique rather than personal legacy.
Contradictions and Unverified Claims
The article presents conflicting narratives: Democrats accuse Trump of planning "sweeping cuts," while the White House denies this, citing Trump’s promise to protect retiree benefits. Elon Musk’s involvement adds a controversial layer, with his description of Social Security as a "Ponzi scheme" complicating public perception. The lack of concrete evidence for widespread fraud or detailed plans for cuts leaves room for speculation and partisan interpretation.
Potential Manipulation and Audience Targeting
The language used—phrases like "taken a hatchet" and "breath-taking damage"—frames the issue emotionally, likely to galvanize opposition to Trump’s policies. This approach resonates with progressive audiences and disability advocates but may alienate fiscal conservatives. The timing of Trump’s executive order on illegal immigrants’ access to benefits, announced just before Biden’s speech, suggests a coordinated counter-narrative.
Economic and Global Implications
While the immediate market impact may be limited, prolonged debate over Social Security could affect investor confidence in government stability. Industries tied to elder care or disability services might face uncertainty. Globally, the U.S. welfare debate could fuel discussions about austerity vs. social spending in other nations.
AI and Narrative Influence
The article’s tone leans toward sensationalism, raising questions about AI involvement in amplifying partisan divides. Models like Deepseek R1 could skew content to favor specific ideologies—for instance, by emphasizing Musk’s radical framing or omitting context about Biden’s past policies. However, no overt AI fingerprints are evident in this excerpt.
Manipulation Rating and Reliability
This news piece scores moderately high on the manipulation scale (6/10) due to its selective framing and lack of neutral sourcing. While factual in reporting Biden’s speech and Trump’s order, the omission of counterarguments from the SSA or independent analyses of fraud claims reduces its balance. It aims to solidify Democratic opposition to Republican welfare reforms rather than provide an impartial overview.