Biden regularly refused to say President Donald Trump’s name during his speeches as president, calling him “my predecessor” or “the former guy.” He continued that trend Tuesday while amplifying claims from the Democratic Party that the Trump administration wants to cut Social Security.

After taking the stage accompanied by the Bruce Springsteen song “We Take Care of Our Own,” Biden made a speech that was similar in tone and approach to those he gave during his single term in the White House, which ended less than three months ago.

He began by recalling stories from his youth, talking about moving from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Delaware, and the struggles his father faced finding steady work. Biden also mentioned how schools were segregated during his childhood, a fact he said bothered him as a fourth grader.

But he soon homed in on the topic at hand.

“Social Security is more than a government program. It’s a sacred promise we made,” Biden said. “Seventy-three million Americans receive Social Security. From the first paycheck through their entire life, they pay into Social Security, and in return, they count on Social Security to be for them when they’re going to need it. Folks, we must never, ever betray that trust.”

Trump stated repeatedly on the 2024 campaign trail that he would not cut Social Security and has kept repeating that promise since taking office. Earlier on Tuesday, he signed a memorandum attacking what his administration claims is Social Security fraud.

The Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency has nonetheless cut thousands of jobs from the federal workforce. While Musk says eliminating jobs will save taxpayer money and thus make government programs more efficient and financially sound, Democrats warn that services are already being affected.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has called on acting Social Security Administration Commissioner Leland Dudek to resign, accusing the Trump administration of using him to “hurt seniors.” 

“Donald Trump and Elon Musk have a hatchet man in Leland Dudek, an acting Commissioner with an emphasis on the ‘acting,’ because his real role is to dismantle the very office he is supposed to lead, make better, and protect,” Schumer said.

Biden was introduced by his own Social Security administrator, Martin O’Malley, who said that Trump and Musk had “gutted” the SSA “with a chainsaw.”

“Make no mistake about it, it’s the American people who are feeling the pain,” O’Malley added. “They’ll feel the pain in the additional wait times. They’ll feel the pain from being crammed into crowded waiting rooms. They’ll feel the pain from their field office being gutted and reduced by 25% or 50%.”

Biden made similar warnings during his remarks.

He said that millions of seniors rely on Social Security as their only income and that many are scared that their checks may not arrive on time.

“For many of these beneficiaries, it’s their only income,” Biden said. “If they were cut or taken away, it would be devastating, for millions of people. And the psychological pressure we put people under by having this debate, it’s absolutely devastating.”

Though he did not name him either, Biden specifically referenced Musk’s comment that Social Security is a “Ponzi scheme.”

“What the hell are they talking about?” Biden said. “People earn these benefits. They paid into that benefit, they rely on that benefit. And no one should take it away.”

He also said that in America “nobody is king,” a remark likely directed at Trump, and implied that Trump’s administration is driven by cruelty rather than care for common people.

“These people get knocked down every day. They learned to get up,” Biden said. “The last thing they need from their government is deliberate cruelty.”

Trump to sign memo combating Social Security fraud

Ahead of the speech, the White House defended Trump’s record on Social Security and took a shot at Biden’s age, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt expressing surprise that Biden would give an evening speech.

“I would have thought his bedtime was much earlier than his speech tonight,” Leavitt said.

“Let me make it very clear, ahead of former President Biden’s remarks, the president, this president, 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,” she added.