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In his final address to the nation, delivered five days before handing the Oval Office to President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden issued a stark warning about the growing influence of big tech and the dangers of social media abandoning fact-checking.
Biden began by highlighting the emergence of an “oligarchy” in the U.S., threatening democracy and equality.
“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,” he said.
This comment likely referred to figures like Mark Zuckerberg, who recently ended fact-checking programs on Facebook and Instagram and donated $1 million to Trump through his company, Meta.
Biden also alluded to Elon Musk, CEO of X and Tesla, who has signaled his intent to wield significant influence during Trump’s upcoming term.
Biden emphasized the risks posed by social media’s abandonment of truth moderation, stating, “Social media giving up on fact-checking could pose a great danger to freedom of information and the pursuit of truth in America.”
He warned of a crumbling free press being replaced by an “avalanche of misinformation and disinformation enabling the abuse of power.”
“The truth is smothered by lies told for power and for profit,” Biden said. He called for holding social platforms accountable to safeguard democracy, protect families, and prevent the exploitation of power.
During the address, Biden also took aim at Trump, calling for a constitutional amendment to ensure no president is immune from prosecution for crimes committed in office. His comment came in light of Trump’s conviction on 34 felony charges in March for falsifying records to conceal payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Biden also proposed an 18-year term limit for Supreme Court justices, reigniting debates over judicial reform after the Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
As Biden prepared to leave office, his final message highlighted the critical importance of truth, accountability, and reforms to preserve American democracy in the face of mounting challenges.
