Joe Biden will speak about Social Security in his return to national
stage
[April 15, 2025]
By STEVE PEOPLES and FATIMA HUSSEIN
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Joe Biden returns to the national
stage Tuesday to elevate liberal concerns that President Donald Trump's
agenda is threatening the health of Social Security.
The 82-year-old Democrat has largely avoided speaking publicly since
leaving the White House in January. That's even as Trump frequently
blames Biden for many of the nation's problems, often attacking his
predecessor by name.
Biden is expected to fight back in an early evening speech to the
national conference of Advocates, Counselors and Representatives for the
Disabled in Chicago. While Biden has made a handful of public
appearances in recent weeks, Tuesday's high-profile address focuses on a
critical issue for tens of millions of Americans that could define next
year's midterm elections.
“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, executive director
of the ACRD. “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.”
Trump almost immediately began slashing the government workforce upon
his return to the White House, including thousands of employees at the
Social Security Administration.
Along with a planned layoff of 7,000 workers and controversial plans to
impose tighter identity-proofing measures for recipients, the SSA has
been sued over a decision to allow Elon Musk's Department of Government
Efficiency to access individuals’ Social Security numbers and other
personally identifiable information.
Musk, the world’s richest man and one of Trump’s most influential
advisers, has called Social Security “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all
time.”
At the same time, Social Security recipients have complained about long
call wait times as the agency’s “my Social Security” benefits portal has
seen an increase in outages. Individuals who receive Supplemental
Security Income, including disabled seniors and low-income adults and
children, also reported receiving a notice that said they were “not
receiving benefits.”
The agency said the notice was a mistake. And the White House has vowed
that it would not cut Social Security benefits, saying any changes are
intended to reduce waste and fraud.
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President Joe Biden speaks in Charleston, S.C., Jan. 19, 2025. (AP
Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)
Biden will be joined in Chicago by a bipartisan group of former elected
officials, including former Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., former Sen. Debbie
Stabenow, D-Mich., and former Social Security Administrator Martin
O’Malley.
“Social Security is a sacred promise between generations,” O’Malley
said. "We are deeply grateful to the President for joining us at ACRD to
discuss how we can keep that promise for all Americans.”
Biden is not expected to make frequent public appearances as he
transitions into his post-presidency. He still maintains an office in
Washington, but has returned to Delaware as his regular home base. Trump
has revoked his security clearances.
While Biden may be in position to help his party with fundraising and
messaging, he left the White House with weak approval ratings. Biden
also faces blame from some progressives who argue he shouldn't have
sought a second term. Biden ended his reelection bid after his
disastrous debate performance against Trump and made way for then-Vice
President Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump in the fall.
Just 39% of Americans had a favorable opinion of Biden in January,
according to a Gallup poll taken shortly after Trump’s inauguration.
Views of the Democratic former president were essentially unchanged from
a Gallup poll taken shortly after the November election. They broadly
track with the steadily low favorability ratings that Biden experienced
throughout the second half of his presidential term.
___
Peoples reported from New York. Associated Press writer Linley Sanders
contributed to this report.
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