As Joe Biden’s presidency limps toward its final curtain call, he decided to grace Americans with a farewell speech delivered from behind the Resolute Desk. The speech, far from being a stirring reflection on leadership or unity, quickly descended into a rambling tirade about social media “fact-checking.” Instead of addressing the pressing issues of his tenure or offering a unifying message, Biden seemed fixated on algorithms and moderation policies, almost as if he were rehearsing for a post-presidency gig as a Silicon Valley consultant. It was less statesmanlike farewell and more tech industry webinar gone wrong.
Traditionally, outgoing presidents use their final addresses to inspire patriotism and leave behind timeless wisdom. Biden, however, opted to channel his inner Orwell, railing against “disinformation” in ways that would make any authoritarian regime proud. His pitch for government involvement in curating online content sounded eerily reminiscent of tactics employed by despots, not democratic leaders. Adding to the absurdity, Biden managed to stumble through the speech, even reading “end of quote” directly from the teleprompter—a moment that underscored the dissonance between his lofty rhetoric and his visible lack of command.
Not content to stop at policing speech, Biden turned his attention to natural disasters, pointing the finger at climate change for everything from hurricanes to wildfires. He highlighted Hurricane Helene as an example of the supposed urgent need for green energy policies, conveniently ignoring the fact that hurricanes have been a feature of Gulf Coast history for centuries. As for California’s wildfires, Biden sidestepped the role of arson and state mismanagement, choosing instead to blame global warming. It’s a familiar tactic: deflect blame for policy failures by invoking a nebulous and unchallengeable scapegoat.
The farewell wouldn’t have been complete without Biden revisiting his favorite refrain about “threats to democracy.” This time, the implied target was Elon Musk, whose support for Donald Trump and defense of free speech have earned him the president’s ire. Meanwhile, Biden’s recent decision to award George Soros the Presidential Medal of Freedom went unmentioned. Apparently, in Biden’s America, billionaires who fund Democratic causes are paragons of virtue, while those who dissent are painted as existential threats. It’s a curious and deeply partisan interpretation of unity, one that seems more about consolidating power than fostering dialogue.
And then there was the inevitable comedic misstep. As if scripted for a late-night skit, Biden capped off his address by reading teleprompter cues aloud, proving once again that his presidency will be remembered as much for its gaffes as its policies. With his tenure drawing to a close, Biden leaves behind a legacy marred by missteps, confusion, and a leadership style that often seemed out of touch. While comparisons to Jimmy Carter have been frequent, Biden may well go down as the modern standard-bearer for ineffective governance. For a nation eager to move forward, his farewell speech served as a fitting reminder of why the page is ready to be turned.
🚨 JUST IN: Joe Biden LAMBASTS social media platforms for removing state-funded “fact checkers” and moving to a Community Notes model
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 16, 2025
Biden is just ticked that WE THE PEOPLE are the media now, and he was FINALLY exposed for threatening platforms to censor content he didn’t like.… pic.twitter.com/lVMk67NHR0