Caroline Brehman / EPA
Joe Biden
North American President Joe Biden warned, in his farewell speech, this Wednesday, that an oligarchy is taking shape in America. He fears that the population will begin to be “buried by an avalanche of misinformation”.
In his last address to the nation from the White House, delivered on Wednesday night in Washington (dawn today in Lisbon), Joe Biden He also warned of a “dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a handful of ultra-rich people” that could have “dangerous consequences” if left unchecked.
“Today, a oligarchy is taking shape in America, of extreme wealth, power and influence, which literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair chance for everyone to progress”, he noted.
In less than 20 minutes, the outgoing Democratic leader, who on Monday passes power to Republican Donald Trump, left a list of risks that the United States faces as the next political cycle approaches.
Following this, Biden pointed out “the potential emergence of a technological-industrial complex that could also pose real dangers” for the country, invoking warnings to the same effect made when former president Dwight Eisenhower left office in 1961.
Today’s alerts come after some of the world’s richest personalities and giants of the technology industry have joined by Donald Trump in recent months, including the billionaire, owner of the social network X, who spent more than 100 million dollars (97.2 million euros) to help the Republican be elected in November and who will collaborate with the next North American administration .
Still regarding technological threats, the outgoing President referred to his fellow citizens who are “buried in an avalanche of misinformation” and which also risks leading to an “abuse of power”.
Social networks, he stressed, “are giving up on fact checking”, in reference to Facebook and its parent company, Meta, of Mark Zuckerbergthe Trump.
“The truth is suffocated by lies told in search of power and profit. We must hold social platforms accountable to protect our children, our families and our own democracy from abuse of power”, he appealed.
Biden highlighted artificial intelligence as “the most important technology of our time, perhaps ever” and that “nothing offers deeper possibilities and risks” for the economy and security, for society and for humanity.
“Unless there are safeguards, artificial intelligence could generate new threats to our rights, our way of life, our privacy, the way we work and how we protect our nation,” he said, suggesting it should be “the land of the free, America, not China”, to lead the world in developing this technology.
Biden calls for respect for democracy
Focusing on the vision of what the United States represents to the world, the outgoing President made a point of highlighting the importance of democratic institutions for the country, such as the courts and the press, institutions that President-elect Donald Trump attacked on several occasions occasions.
Biden also made a point of ensuring a “peaceful and orderly transfer of power,” in an indirect but unmistakable reference to Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which ultimately led to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. .
During his four years in office, there were several occasions when Joe Biden considered the movement “MAGA” – Donald Trump’s iconic campaign slogan ‘Make America Great Again’ [Tornar a América Grande de Novo] – the “biggest threat” to US democracy.
In his farewell speech, the outgoing President wanted to remind Americans of the importance and need to protect this same democracy and took the opportunity to defend major democratic reforms, namely an amendment to the Constitution so that no President has immunity for crimes committed in office.
The North American leader also took the opportunity to point out some of his Government’s achievements, such as record investments to combat climate change, the reduction in medication prices for the elderly, the approval of gun safety laws or targeted aid for veterans.
He also highlighted the achievements he achieved in terms of foreign policy, such as the “strengthening NATO” or strong support for Ukraine.
“To you, the American people, after 50 years of public service, I give you my word. I still believe in the idea that this nation defends: a nation where the strength of our institutions and the character of our people matter and must endure”, he defended.
“Now it’s your turn to be on guard. May you all be keepers of the flame. May you keep the faith. I love America. You love her too. May God bless you all. And may God protect our troops. Thank you for this great honor”, concluded Biden.
