Biden to Deliver First Major Post-Presidency Address Amid Social Security Debate
Joe Biden is scheduled to make his first major public speech since leaving office on Tuesday evening in Chicago, focusing on Social Security and government workforce concerns. The event marks a return to the spotlight for the 82-year-old former president, as the 2026 midterm elections loom on the horizon.
Addressing Social Security and Claims of Program Cuts
Biden’s speech will be delivered to the national conference of the Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD), where he is expected to address growing concerns over potential reforms to Social Security and Medicare. Democrats have asserted that the Trump administration is planning to reduce benefits for these programs, a claim that has been strongly denied by officials.
“As bipartisan leaders have long agreed, Americans who retire after paying into Social Security their whole lives deserve the vital support and caring services they receive,” said Rachel Buck, ACRD’s executive director. “We are thrilled the president will be joining us to discuss how we can work together for a stable and successful future for Social Security.”
Biden is expected to deliver the remarks between 4:45 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Central Time.
Trump Administration Responds with Efficiency Push
The Trump administration has pushed back on claims of benefit cuts, framing recent actions as part of a broader effort to eliminate waste and fraud across the federal government. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established under Elon Musk’s leadership, recently unveiled significant findings — including the misuse of Social Security numbers by noncitizens and identity theft involving over 400,000 Americans.
As part of this restructuring, thousands of federal positions were reportedly eliminated, including within the Social Security Administration, in an effort to modernize operations and root out systemic inefficiencies.
Biden Joined by Former Officials
Joining Biden in Chicago will be a bipartisan group of former lawmakers and agency heads, including former Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), former Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and former Social Security Administrator Martin O’Malley. Their presence underscores the broader political significance of Social Security reform heading into the next election cycle.
Biden’s Post-Presidency Role and Trump’s Response
Though Biden maintains a Washington, D.C. office, reports suggest he plans to spend most of his post-presidency years in his Delaware home, making only select public appearances. His diminished visibility has become a point of criticism from political opponents.
Earlier this year, President Trump revoked Biden’s security clearance and restricted him from receiving daily intelligence briefings, citing findings from the Hur Report, which raised concerns over Biden’s memory and handling of classified materials.
In a statement, Trump defended the move: “The Hur Report revealed that Biden suffers from ‘poor memory’ and, even in his ‘prime,’ could not be trusted with sensitive information. I will always protect our National Security — JOE, YOU’RE FIRED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Biden’s appearance on Tuesday will be closely watched as both parties intensify messaging ahead of the midterms. The future of Social Security, government reform, and public trust in leadership are all poised to be major issues on the national stage.
