OAN Staff Avril Elfie
6:10pm – Wednesday, January 15, 2025
President Joe Biden delivered a farewell address to the nation from the Oval Office.
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On Wednesday, before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, Biden addressed the nation for the last time as a sitting president.
“This will be my last address as president from this desk in the Oval Office to the American people,” he said. “And we've been thinking a lot about who we are and, perhaps more importantly, who we should be.”
“Over the past four years, our democracy has remained strong, and I have continued every day to live up to my resolve to be president for all Americans through one of the most difficult times in our nation's history. '' he continued.
Biden began his farewell by announcing a ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas.
“While this plan was developed and negotiated by my team, much of it will be executed by the incoming administration. That's why I'm telling my team to keep the incoming administration well-informed. We should work together as Americans because that's the way it should be.”
Biden then told Americans in his final speech that he “wanted to warn this country about something that concerns me very much.”
“We are concerned about the dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very small number of ultra-wealthy people, and the dangerous consequences of their abuse of power if left unchecked,” he said.
“Today, an oligarchy with extreme wealth, power, and influence is forming in the United States that literally threatens our entire democracy, our fundamental rights and freedoms, and a fair chance for everyone to advance.” Biden said.
He went on to argue that the effects could be felt across the country. Although it happened more than a century ago, “back then, the American people stood up to a robber king,” he said.
Biden also spoke about the country's history and the Statue of Liberty. He noted how the Statue of Liberty is “an enduring symbol of our nation's soul.”
Mr. Biden also pointed to efforts to lower drug prices and the enactment of bipartisan infrastructure legislation, arguing that leaving the United States would be economically advantageous. He also claimed that unemployment has remained low during his term.
She called Vice President Harris a great partner in that effort and said she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, have become “like family.”
He also mentioned social media, reflecting on concerns as his presidential term draws to a close.
He said he was “equally concerned about the potential rise of a high-tech industrial complex that could pose a real danger to our country.”
“The American people are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation, enabling abuses of power,” he added. “Freedom of the press is collapsing and editors are disappearing.
“Social media is abandoning fact-checking. The truth is being obscured by lies told by power and profit. We must hold the platforms accountable,” he urged.
Biden also warned of the “huge opportunities and risks” associated with artificial intelligence.
“Artificial intelligence is the most important technology of our time, perhaps of all time.Nothing brings greater opportunities and risks to our economy, security, society, and humanity. It even has the potential to help answer my call to eradicate cancer. But unless safeguards are put in place, AI will threaten our rights, our way of life, our privacy, and the way we work. , could create new threats to the defense of the nation,” he said.
Biden added that we must ensure that AI works to our benefit and that the United States leads its development.
In the age of AI, it is more important than ever that people govern. And as a free country, America, not China, must lead the world in AI development,” he added.
Reflecting on his “legacy,” Biden expressed his hope for lasting memory.
“It will take time before we feel the full impact of what we have done together. But the seeds have been planted and will grow and bloom for decades to come,” he said. .
Biden wished the incoming administration “success” and reiterated his hope for the United States' success, pledging to “ensure a peaceful and orderly transition of power.”
“Now it's your turn to guard. May you all be keepers of the flame. May you continue to have faith. I love America. You love it too. God bless you all.” God bless you and God protect our troops. Thank you for this great honor,” Biden concluded.
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