President Joe Biden gave his final address to the American people as president on Wednesday night, bidding the nation farewell after 50 years in the public spotlight. In doing so, he warned the country that “an oligarchy” is ascendant and must be stopped.
Biden, 82, will exit as president on Monday when Donald Trump will assume office for a nonconsecutive second term. The president’s speech from the Oval Office was standard fare, as it touted various accomplishments while reiterating Biden’s vision and hope for the country.
At one point, Biden wished Trump success over the next four years “because I want America to succeed.”
Then, perhaps, in a not-so-subtle jab at his successor, Biden emphasized the peaceful transition of power.
“That’s why I have held my duty to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition of power to ensure we lead by the power of our example,” he said. “I have no doubt that America is in a position to continue to succeed.”
Biden pivoted to say he is increasingly worried about the influence of the wealthy and their ability to wield influence in the corridors of power:
That’s why my farewell address tonight, I want to warn the country of some things that give me great concern… And that’s a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra-wealthy people, and the dangerous consequences if their abuse of power is left unchecked.
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, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead. We see the consequences all across America, and we’ve seen it before.
More than a century ago, the American people stood up to the robber barons back then and busted the trusts. They didn’t punish the wealthy. They just made the wealthy play by the rules everybody else had to.
Biden went on to advocate for workers rights and emphasized the strength of the American middle class.
The president’s knock on the “oligarchy” could be read as another jab at Trump, who enjoyed the financial backing of a slew of billionaires, including Elon Musk, who is the wealthiest person in the world.
Watch above via CNN.
