Former U.S. President Joe Biden launched a scathing critique of Donald Trump’s administration, accusing it of wreaking havoc on essential government institutions, particularly the Social Security Administration. Speaking at a disability advocacy conference in Chicago on Tuesday, Biden claimed that Trump’s swift and sweeping overhaul of government operations has already jeopardized the livelihoods of millions of Americans.
“Fewer than 100 days, this administration has done so much damage, and so much destruction it’s kind of breathtaking it could happen that soon,” Biden told the crowd, with a tone of urgency and frustration. The 82-year-old Democrat zeroed in on the reduction of 7,000 staff members from the Social Security Administration, which he said was part of Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk’s push for a “Department of Government Efficiency.”
According to Biden, the layoffs have severely crippled the agency’s operations. “The Social Security website is crashing,” he warned, emphasizing that retirees and disabled Americans are struggling to access their benefits. The program currently supports more than 65 million Americans and is considered one of the most politically sensitive institutions in the U.S. often referred to as the “third rail of politics.”
While delivering his roughly 30-minute speech in a blue suit and tie against a backdrop of American flags, Biden displayed moments of fatigue and struggled with teleprompter cues, signs of the aging that led to his decision not to seek re-election.
Despite this, he delivered pointed criticism at Trump’s inner circle, particularly Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a former hedge fund manager. Lutnick recently dismissed Social Security fraud concerns by suggesting only “fraudsters” would worry about a missing check. Biden rebuked this, saying, “What about the 94-year-old mother living all by herself who doesn’t have a billionaire in the family?”
Trump, in response, posted a short clip of one of Biden’s rambling moments on social media, letting the video speak for itself.
Biden’s remarks appear aimed at rallying public support to protect Social Security as Trump moves aggressively to implement his reform agenda.
