US President Joe Biden on Wednesday (15 January) delivered his farewell address from the Oval Office, sounding an alarm on the growing influence of an “oligarchy” of the ultra-wealthy and the emerging dangers of a “tech-industrial complex.”
With just days remaining before he hands over the presidency to Donald Trump on 20 January, Biden used this platform to spotlight the dangers threatening democracy, equality, and freedom in the United States.
“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,” Biden declared.
He expressed deep concern over the “dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a few ultra-wealthy people” and warned of the potential consequences if such abuses remain unchecked.
Drawing parallels to President Dwight Eisenhower’s cautionary farewell address in 1961 about the “military-industrial complex,” Biden raised a similar red flag about the growing nexus of technological power.
“I’m equally concerned about the potential rise of a tech-industrial complex that could pose real dangers to our country as well,” he asserted, urging Americans to remain vigilant as rapid technological advancements reshape the political and economic landscape.
Biden also took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of peaceful transitions of power, offering a model for the nation.
While refraining from naming Donald Trump, he alluded to concerns about his successor, cautioning citizens to safeguard their freedoms and democratic institutions during this era of profound change.
This address, marking the conclusion of Biden’s over five-decade-long public career, carried both a somber reflection on his legacy and an aspirational vision for the future.
Earlier that day, Biden celebrated a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, calling it a pivotal step toward peace in the Middle East.
Acknowledging the slow realisation of his domestic policies, he stated, “It’ll take time to feel the full impact of what we’ve done together, but the seeds are planted and they’ll grow and they’ll bloom for decades to come.”
From his rise as the youngest senator at age 30 in 1972 to his presidency marked by challenges and reforms, Biden’s farewell served as a final plea for unity and vigilance in safeguarding democracy.
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