In one of his first major public appearances since leaving the White House, former President Joe Biden delivered a sharp condemnation of the Trump administration’s handling of Social Security, calling the damage “breathtaking” and “devastating.”
Speaking at the Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled conference in Chicago on Tuesday, Biden criticized the former administration’s efforts to cut the program, contrasting them with his own record of protecting and strengthening it.
“Well, look what’s happening. In fewer than 100 days, this new administration has done so much damage—it’s kind of breathtaking it could happen that soon,” said Biden, who avoided directly naming his successor, referring to him only as “this guy.”
The 82-year-old spoke for nearly 30 minutes, at times in a hushed tone, punctuated by impassioned moments defending Social Security and its beneficiaries. He was introduced by former Maryland Governor and current Social Security Administrator Martin O’Malley before an audience of approximately 180 attendees.
Biden’s remarks marked a clear departure from his presidential demeanor, offering a more pointed and personal rebuke as the political debate around Social Security intensifies once again.
“I won’t go any further—I don’t want to get myself in trouble,” President Biden said wearily early in his speech, before shifting from touting his administration’s achievements to defending Social Security and condemning Republican proposals.
“Last time this guy had the job, he raised the debt ceiling to cover an enormous and reckless tax cut for the super wealthy,” Biden said, referencing former President Donald Trump. “They wanted to cut Social Security,” he continued, directing his criticism at Republican members of Congress. “Not on my watch. We refused to go along with any of that.”
Later in his remarks, Biden dropped any pretense of restraint, accusing Trump and his supporters of lacking compassion.
“You can’t go on like this, as divided as we are. I’ve been doing this a long time—it’s never been this fractured,” he said. “Granted, it’s just 30 percent, but it’s a 30 percent that has no heart.”
Biden warned of further cuts to Social Security under the current administration, noting that 7,000 seasoned employees had already been pushed out.
“They’ve taken a hatchet to Social Security,” he said. “Now they’re preparing to do even more damage.”
He also took direct aim at Trump’s Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, and senior adviser Elon Musk.
“Based on Lutnick’s recent comments, he doesn’t even seem to care,” Biden said. “He said his 94-year-old mother-in-law wouldn’t complain about the cuts. Probably a lovely woman. But let’s be real—her son-in-law is a billionaire. What about a 94-year-old widow living alone, with no help?”
Biden condemned the rhetoric coming from the administration, highlighting that one adviser had even called Social Security a “Ponzi scheme”—a reference to comments made by Musk.
“What the hell are they talking about?” he asked. “They’re embracing this tech-industry idea of ‘move fast and break things,’ but now they’re breaking a lifeline for millions.”
Biden accused the GOP of planning further harm through a Republican-backed funding bill that would cement Trump’s 2017 tax cuts.
“These guys are willing to hurt the middle and working class just to deliver even more wealth to the already wealthy,” he said. “Who the hell do they think they are? Whatever happened to basic decency?”
Biden’s speech coincided with what Democratic leaders dubbed a national “Day of Action” to defend Social Security.
“Across the country, Democrats are leading the fight to oppose the Republican plan to gut Social Security,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in a joint statement. “Our Save Social Security Day of Action will mobilize Americans from every corner of the country to push back on Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and DOGE’s proposed cuts.”
“Republicans want to slash this vital program by making it harder for seniors and people with disabilities to access their earned benefits,” they added. “Shutting down local offices, firing experienced workers, and cutting phone services are just stealth cuts. They’re trying to kill Social Security from the inside—but we won’t let that happen.”
