President Biden gave what some liberal media commentators called one of the “best,” “most memorable” and “sobering” speeches of his life on Wednesday night.
Biden delivered his farewell address into the country from the Oval Office, ending a career in politics that spanned more than half a century.
“I think that may have been one of the best speeches I’ve ever heard from Joe Biden,” former Obama adviser and CNN commentator David Axelrod said after the president concluded.
“And the reason is that he gave a speech about the country. Yes, he took credit for progress, but the speech was about the country he believes in, the country he sees, the challenges and threats he sees. And at the end of the day, it was a very optimistic speech that we can overcome them if we are serious about meeting them,” he added.
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US President Joe Biden delivers his farewell address to the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on January 15, 2025. (Getty Images)
Former Vice President Kamala Harris’ communications director Ashley Etienne agreed with Axelrod, adding that she found the speech “poignant and relevant.”
“I thought it was really smart, wise and appropriate for the president to kind of make threats as we move forward,” Etienne said.
Washington Post contributing editor Mary Jordan raved on ABC News, calling the speech “memorable” and “eye-opening.”
“By far one of the most memorable speeches he gave because Joe Biden he really struggled with the story,” Jordan said. “And Donald Trump basically ran the whole story.”
She added: “Tonight I thought he was open, unusually clear.”
Meet the Press host Kristen Welker told NBC anchor Lester Holt, “I think this was a speech for the history books, Lester.”
MSNBC host Rachel Maddow focused primarily on parts of Biden’s speech that warned of a tech “oligarchy” threatening the country and concerns about a free press after the removal of fact-checkers.
An MSNBC panel discussed Biden’s farewell speech Wednesday night. (MSNBC screenshot)
“It’s stark and sobering, and, like I said, it sent chills down my spine,” Maddow said. “I think he’s right and I’m glad he took the time to say that.”
Joy Reid agreed that Biden’s comments “need to be said” and was glad he did.
Conservatives were largely frustrated with the speech, calling it “the worst farewell speech in presidential history” for his dark warning about the “ultra-rich”.
“I want to warn the country about some things that worry me very much. … It is a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra-rich people. Dangerous consequences if their abuse of power is not controlled,” said Biden.
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“Today, an oligarchy of extreme wealth, power and influence is taking shape in America that literally threatens our entire democracy. Our basic rights, freedoms and fair opportunity for all to thrive,” he continued.
Biden gave a grim warning about the threat of an oligarchy emerging in the country. (Getty)
Biden will officially leave the White House on January 20, when he is elected president Donald Trump sworn in as the 47th president. It ends a political career of more than fifty years.
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Fox News’ Emma Colton contributed to this report.
