Biden’s First Post-Office Address Attacks Trump Administration Social Security Policies

Ex-President Biden criticized Trump’s leadership, saying, “This new administration has done so much damage in fewer than 100 days.”

In a speech on Tuesday in Chicago, former US President Joe Biden unleashed a harsh attack on the Trump administration’s welfare program management, accusing it of destroying the country’s long-standing Social Security system.

During a disability rights conference, Biden criticized recent White House moves to reduce the size of the agency in charge of managing the $1.6 trillion annual benefits program and warned that the government had “taken a hatchet” to Social Security.

“This new administration has caused a great deal of harm and devastation in less than 100 days. Biden remarked, “It’s kind of breathtaking,” without specifically mentioning former President Donald Trump.

But when he referred to Social Security as a “sacred promise” and highlighted how it affects millions of lives, his message was clear.

In recent months, the Social Security Administration (SSA), which provides benefits to more than 67 million Americans, primarily pensioners and people with disabilities, has under more pressure. Elon Musk, the head of the administration’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” which is tasked with lowering costs, has been pushing proposals to eliminate 7,000 people from the agency’s personnel since February. Social Security has been called “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time” by Musk in the past.

Trump has denied plans to drastically reduce fundamental benefits, but he has stated that his goal is to eradicate fraud and illegitimate payments, particularly to illegal immigrants. Karoline Leavitt, his press secretary, assured reporters that he would always defend the initiative. “He is adamant about preserving benefits for seniors and law-abiding, tax-paying Americans.”

Biden concentrated on defending the necessity and integrity of Social Security rather than discussing his departure from the White House or the 2024 election. “We are aware of the significant impact Social Security has on people’s lives,” he stated.

The SSA, which is currently headed by a director selected by Trump, accused Biden of disseminating false information in a post on X (previously Twitter). In a direct response to Biden’s address, the agency declared, “Biden has been lying.”

Through staff reductions and divisive rhetoric, Democrats have increasingly charged that the Trump administration is starting a backdoor demolition of the country’s welfare safety net. Critics caution that the agency’s capacity to handle claims and assist recipients may be severely impacted by the staff reduction.