In one of his first major public addresses since leaving the White House, former President Joe Biden delivered a fierce critique of the Trump administration’s record on Social Security, warning that the damage already done is “breathtaking” and potentially devastating.
Speaking in Chicago on Tuesday at a national conference for disability advocates, Biden refrained from directly naming Donald Trump but repeatedly referred to him as “this guy,” accusing the former president and his allies of gutting a critical safety net for millions of Americans.
“In fewer than 100 days, this new administration has caused so much damage—it’s breathtaking it could happen that quickly,” Biden said, drawing a stark contrast with his own presidency, which he said worked to protect and strengthen Social Security.
Biden’s speech, delivered in front of roughly 180 attendees, was introduced by former Maryland governor and Social Security Administrator Martin O’Malley. The 82-year-old spoke for nearly half an hour, defending the program while sharply condemning Republican-led efforts to dismantle it.
“I will not go further and get in trouble…” he said early in his remarks, before launching into a pointed takedown of recent funding cuts and administrative rollbacks.
“They’ve taken a hatchet to Social Security,” Biden said. “They’ve pushed out 7,000 employees—some of the most seasoned public servants—and now they’re getting ready to cut even deeper.”
He described Republican proposals to make Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent as a direct threat to the program’s stability. “These guys are willing to hurt the middle class, the working class, just to deliver greater wealth to the already wealthy. Who the hell do they think they are?”
Biden also singled out Trump advisers Howard Lutnick and Elon Musk for their dismissive attitudes toward the elderly and vulnerable. Referring to recent comments by Lutnick, Biden said, “He said his 94-year-old mother-in-law wouldn’t complain about cuts. Well sure—her son-in-law’s a billionaire. But what about the 94-year-old woman living alone? Who’s protecting her?”
On Musk, Biden was even more forceful. “One of them even called Social Security a Ponzi scheme—what the hell are they talking about?” he said, adding that the administration appears to be operating on the tech industry’s old mantra: move fast and break things.
Beyond the administration itself, Biden called out Republican members of Congress for supporting these cuts. “They wanted to cut Social Security. Not on my watch. We refused to go along with any of that.”
His message carried a clear warning: the next round of legislative moves could deepen the crisis if left unchecked. “You can’t go on like this, as divided as we are. I’ve been doing this a long time, and I’ve never seen it this bad. Thirty percent of the country has no heart,” he said, addressing the political polarisation fueling these proposals.
Tuesday’s speech coincided with the Democrats’ declared “Day of Action” on Social Security. In a joint statement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Republicans of seeking to destroy the program “from the inside.”
“They’re firing experienced service workers, shutting down local offices, cutting phone services—all of which make it harder for seniors and disabled Americans to access their benefits,” the statement read. “It’s a cut by another name—and we won’t let it happen.”
Biden closed by reminding the audience that Social Security is more than just a benefit—it’s a pact between the government and its people.
“It’s not just about retirement,” he said. “It’s about basic dignity. It’s about honouring a fundamental bond of trust.”
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