Former U.S. President Joe Biden delivered a scathing critique of Donald Trump’s administration on Tuesday, accusing his successor of endangering Americans’ retirement benefits through what he described as a reckless overhaul of the federal government.
Speaking at a disability advocacy conference in Chicago, Biden condemned what he called the Trump administration’s “hatchet job” on the Social Security Administration, claiming the agency had lost 7,000 employees under new cost-cutting directives.
“In fewer than 100 days, this administration has done so much damage — so much destruction — it’s kind of breathtaking it could happen that soon,” the 82-year-old Democrat said, addressing a crowd in front of American flags while dressed in a blue suit and tie.
Biden warned that the staffing cuts have led to website crashes and processing delays, leaving retirees unable to access vital benefits. He said the changes, championed by Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk under the newly formed “Department of Government Efficiency,” are already hurting millions who depend on the program.
“Many Americans literally count on Social Security to buy food, just to get by,” Biden stated. “If it were cut or taken away, it would be devastating for millions of people.”
The speech marked Biden’s first major public address since stepping away from his 2024 re-election bid. Though he occasionally stumbled over his words and digressed into anecdotes — some of which he cut short with his familiar “anyways” — the message was clear: Social Security is under threat.
In a subtle dig, Trump posted a video clip on social media highlighting one of Biden’s meandering moments, without commentary.
Biden also took aim at Trump’s commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, a former hedge fund manager, for dismissive remarks about payment errors. “Fraudsters might complain about a missing check,” Lutnick had said, “but not my mother-in-law.”
Biden’s remarks underscore growing Democratic concerns about the direction of federal policy under Trump’s leadership, particularly regarding programs considered sacrosanct by many voters.
With more than 65 million Americans relying on Social Security, the issue is poised to remain a central flashpoint in the nation’s political debate.
