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Joe Biden has taken to the stage for the first time since his presidency to express strong criticism of the welfare policies enacted during Donald Trump’s administration. Speaking at a conference in Chicago, the former president highlighted what he views as significant threats to Social Security, a critical program that provides financial support to millions of Americans.
Biden remarked that this new administration has “taken a hatchet” to Social Security, which is a lifeline for many, particularly the elderly and disabled, amidst claims by Trump and Elon Musk—who is now spearheading cost-reduction measures within the government—that the program is plagued by fraud and inefficiency.
The current administration is pursuing staffing reductions within the Social Security Agency (SSA), which disburses annual benefits exceeding $1.6 trillion (£1.2 trillion) to approximately 67 million Americans. Biden did not mention Trump directly in his address but conveyed his discontent over what he describes as extensive “damage and destruction” done in the early days of the new administration, which he considers quite alarming.
During his appearance at a disability rights event, Biden emphasized the importance of Social Security, referring to it as a “sacred promise” and underscoring its essential role in the lives of many individuals who rely on it for their livelihood. He refrained from discussing his exit from the White House or his plans for the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
Democrats have consistently accused the current administration of enacting drastic cuts to Social Security. Members of Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency have reportedly been working to implement job cuts within the SSA since February, with an objective to reduce the workforce by approximately 7,000 positions.
Musk has previously characterized Social Security as “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time,” a contentious assertion that has sparked considerable debate. However, Trump has stated his intent to focus on eliminating fraudulent claims and addressing payments made to individuals who should not be receiving benefits, asserting that he does not plan to introduce sweeping reductions to the program.
In a recent order, Trump also took steps to prevent illegal immigrants and other “ineligible people” from accessing Social Security benefits. Following Biden’s Chicago speech, Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, reiterated the former president’s commitment to protecting Social Security benefits for “law-abiding tax-paying American citizens and seniors,” declaring that he will always prioritize the integrity of the program.
The SSA, now under the influence of a Trump appointee, responded to Biden’s comments with a post on X, accusing him of misrepresenting the facts during his speech. Since stepping down from the presidency, Biden has maintained a relatively low profile but made headlines in February by signing with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a notable talent agency based in Los Angeles, which had previously represented him between 2017 and 2020.
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www.bbc.com