Biden’s First Post-White House Speech Happens at a Bizarrely Inappropriate Venue – Who Signed Off on This?
When it comes to making a political comeback, most former presidents might opt for a major university lecture hall, a high-profile global summit, or a prestigious think tank. But in former President Joe Biden’s case, his first major public address after leaving office took place at the national conference for the “Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled” — also known as the ACRD.
Yes, really.
As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, Biden showed up in Chicago on Tuesday to speak at the ACRD gathering and advocate for strengthening Social Security. While his team insists he’s been “public for some time” — citing previous comments made to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and at the National High School Model United Nations — this marked his first substantial public appearance since stepping down.
Biden used the opportunity to make his case: “The vast majority of Americans, including many wealthy Americans, still support – thank God – Social Security,” he said, according to Al Jazeera. “They may not rely on themselves, but they know – they know – Social Security deserves to be protected for the good of the nation as a whole.”
He also took aim at his predecessor, suggesting Donald Trump and his allies treat Social Security like a “tech startup.”
“They’re following that old line from tech startups,” Biden said. “The quote is: Move fast, break things. And they’re certainly breaking things. They’re shooting first and aiming later. The result is a lot of needless pain and sleepless nights.”
Those were the polished talking points. But online, a very different narrative took shape.
A clip circulating on social media featured Biden reminiscing about his childhood, referencing a time when Black children were “at the time called colored kids.” Though arguably a historical note, it sparked fresh criticism — especially considering how the same comment would likely be received if said by a Republican. Critics were quick to note Biden’s long history of verbal missteps, including his infamous “you ain’t Black” remark during the 2020 campaign.
Biden didn’t stop there. He questioned the moral standing of Republicans who support entitlement reform: “Who in the hell do they think they are? I mean, just basic decency. Who do they think they are?”
He later added: “We can’t go on like this with a nation as divided as we are. It’s never been this divided. Granted, it’s roughly 30 percent, but it’s a 30 percent that has no heart.” That last part reminded many of Hillary Clinton’s “basket of deplorables” misstep — not the best historical parallel for a former party leader.
Despite all this, the speech may have been more revealing for what it said about Biden’s current standing within his own party.
According to CNN, many Democratic insiders would prefer Biden stick to private life. One unnamed donor responded bluntly when asked if they’d heard from him lately: “No. Thank God.”
Meanwhile, the White House didn’t pass up the chance to comment. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt quipped that she “thought his bedtime was much earlier than his speech tonight.” But she also addressed the heart of Biden’s message head-on: “President Trump is absolutely certain about protecting Social Security benefits for law-abiding, tax-paying American citizens and seniors who have paid into this program.”
That counterpoint undermines the central claim of Biden’s speech — that Social Security is under attack. As the Trump camp maintains, there is no current initiative targeting legally entitled beneficiaries. The implication is clear: Biden’s dramatic warnings are, at best, a solution in search of a problem.
More troubling for his critics was Biden’s physical presence. His delivery at the ACRD event reignited concerns about his energy and clarity — especially considering he was, not long ago, vying to lead the country for another term.
So, was this the grand return Biden envisioned? Probably not. As one observer noted, it's a strange place for a former "leader of the free world" to resurface — especially when many in his own party seem unsure what to do with him.
And if this event is any indicator of how Biden plans to spend his post-presidency, don’t expect the controversies — or the awkward moments — to fade any time soon.