Joe Biden slurs through ‘confusing’ farewell speech & refuses to say Trump’s name once but takes credit for Hamas deal
PRESIDENT Joe Biden has bid farewell to the nation with a speech that baffled viewers after he slurred his words and refused to say Donald Trump's name just five days ahead of passing the torch.
As Biden is set to leave the White House on Monday, his final speech highlighted his achievements while in office - including taking credit for the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal that was announced hours before the address.
Throughout Biden's 17-minute speech on Wednesday night, viewers shared their confusion with the "bizarre" address on social media after he slurred through his words and stumbled over multiple sentences.
"Joe Biden’s 'Farewell Speech' was the most random and confusing speech I’ve heard," one X user slammed.
"It was made up of a bunch of nice-sounding phrases; trying to make it seem as if he left us a great, growing and peaceful economy – when it’s the total opposite."
Another added, "Biden's farewell speech sounds confusing and sour grapes."
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NO TRUMP NAMED
From behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office, Biden spoke about his plan to have a peaceful transition of power to the new president - but he didn't mention Trump's name once.
Instead, Biden said America is threatened by an "oligarchy" of powerful people with unchecked influences.
"I want to warn the country of some things that give me great concern," he warned.
"And that’s the dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultrawealthy people, and the dangerous consequences if their abuse of power is left unchecked."
It appeared to be a thinly veiled dig at Tesla mogul Elon Musk and Meta creator Mark Zuckerberg.
Musk has cozied up to Trump in the months since the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.
He has been spotted with the president-elect at election parties and galas held at his plush Mar-a-Lago resort.
Musk has also been tasked with leading Trump's Department of Government Efficiency alongside ex-GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
Musk initially backed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for president before endorsing Trump.
"We must not be bullied into sacrificing the future," Biden said.
While Biden spoke about his concerns for the next years, Trump seemed unfazed and posted on Truth Social about his incoming administration.
"In order to save time, money, and effort, it would be helpful if you would not send, or recommend to us, people who worked with, or are endorsed by, Americans for No Prosperity," Trump wrote.
He then called out politicians including "birdbrain" Nikki Haley, Mike Pence, Dick Cheney, or "any of the other people suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome."
HOSTAGE DEAL
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump revealed Israel and Hamas finally reached a ceasefire deal to release the hostages trapped in Gaza.
The president-elect confirmed the hostage deal and called the agreement "epic" in a post on Truth Social.
"WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!" Trump wrote.
He later added, "I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones."
President Biden's speeches from the Resolute desk
President Joe Biden is giving his farewell address to the nation from behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office.
The last time Biden spoke from behind the Resolute desk, he explained his decision not to run for a second term in July 2024.
Biden has given five speeches from the Oval Office:
June 2, 2023 - On Congress approving the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, increasing the federal debt limit
October 19, 2023 - On the Israel-Hamas war and the Russian invasion of Ukraine
July 14, 2024 - On the assassination attempt on Donald Trump
July 24, 2024 - On his decision to withdraw from the presidential race
January 15, 2024 - His farewell address
Biden addressed the deal in a speech from the White House, saying it ends 15 months of suffering after months of negotiations.
"Fighting in Gaza will stop, and soon the hostages return home to their families," Biden said.
The president took credit for the move, saying it was identical to the plan he laid out for the deal last May.
He confirmed the plan's terms will mostly be put in place by the incoming Trump administration.
"In these past few days, we have been speaking as one team,” he said.
Biden then fired back at a reporter who asked if he or Trump played a bigger part in getting the hostage deal done.
"Is that a joke?" Biden slammed.
Meanwhile, Trump said on Truth Social that the agreement would've never come about if he wasn't elected.
"This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November," Trump wrote.
The Republican continued to say his victory "signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies."
Trump will take office alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance on January 20, ousting Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
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Americans generally view Biden's time in the Oval Office as more of a failure than a success, according to a new .
The research revealed just 36% of US adults approve of how Biden handled his presidency, which matches the lowest approval mark during his term.
Like many presidents before him, Biden will likely enjoy higher approval ratings after his exit as well.
His unpopularity hit a historic low during his final months, but as he fades into the background, people will likely remember him more fondly.
Many of his other endeavors will likely be secret. Because of his advanced age, he almost certainly won't hold another office and will guide the Democratic Party in private.