In his first public appearance since leaving the White House, former President Joe Biden criticized the Trump administration’s handling of Social Security, accusing it of creating widespread fear among beneficiaries due to major staffing cuts.
Speaking at an event in Chicago hosted by Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled, Biden warned that Trump’s budget cuts are threatening one of the country’s most relied-upon programs.
“In less than 100 days, they’ve caused incredible damage,” Biden said, without directly naming Trump. “The administration is cutting down the Social Security workforce by 7,000 employees — many of whom were highly experienced.”
Biden went on to highlight a major concern: for the first time in U.S. history, people are genuinely worried their Social Security payments could be delayed or even stopped.
“We’ve always received payments through wars, recessions, and even pandemics,” he said. “But now, millions of Americans are anxious that could change. That’s never happened before.”
Staffing Cuts Causing Technical Failures and Delays
Since Trump began his second term, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has faced a wave of employee exits, and more departures are expected.
This has led to a wave of technical issues: website outages, phone lines going unanswered, and delays in resolving beneficiaries’ problems.
These issues are adding to growing frustration among the elderly and disabled, who rely on the system for basic financial support.
Biden’s remarks came after he was introduced by Martin O’Malley, a former Maryland governor and SSA administrator under Biden’s presidency.
O’Malley said the agency had been moving in a positive direction until Trump’s cost-cutting steps reversed that progress.
O’Malley now heads the advisory board for the disability rights group hosting the event.
Trump Pushes Back With Fraud Accusations
Ahead of Biden’s speech, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration’s actions. She announced that Trump would sign a presidential order aimed at stopping Social Security fraud by “illegal aliens and other ineligible individuals.”
According to Leavitt, this plan would expand anti-fraud efforts across 50 U.S. attorneys’ offices.
“This president — President Trump — is committed to protecting Social Security benefits for legal, tax-paying American citizens and our seniors,” she said.
She also took a jab at Biden’s age, commenting, “I’m surprised he’s speaking at night. I thought his bedtime was much earlier.” Biden is 82 years old, while Trump is 78.
Biden laughed off the age jokes with a line of his own: “Back when I was a senator, 400 years ago…”
Democrats Accuse Trump of Prioritizing the Wealthy
Biden accused the Trump administration of slashing Social Security not to fix the system, but to make room for more tax breaks for the wealthy.
“They’re following the old Silicon Valley motto — ‘Move fast and break things.’ Well, they are breaking things,” Biden said. “They’re shooting first and asking questions later, and it’s causing unnecessary pain.”
Democrats have consistently argued that the Republican push to cut Social Security is an attempt to reallocate funds toward tax cuts for rich individuals and corporations.
Trump and his ally Elon Musk, who has supported various cost-cutting efforts, have both made controversial comments about the future of Social Security.
Musk, for instance, recently called the program “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time” during an appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast.
Funding Crisis: What the Numbers Say?
According to the SSA’s 2024 annual report, the Social Security trust fund for retirees can continue paying full benefits only until 2033.
After that, it will only be able to pay 79% of scheduled benefits unless Congress takes action.
This funding shortfall has led Republicans to argue that the program needs restructuring to survive. However, Democrats warn that cutting benefits or staffing will cause immediate harm to millions of Americans.
Political Stakes in 2026 and Beyond
Social Security is becoming a central political issue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats are seizing on the staffing cuts and technical failures to argue that Trump’s leadership is chaotic and dangerous for average citizens.
Biden and other prominent Democrats, including former President Barack Obama, have recently broken their silence to criticize Trump’s governing style.
At a recent college event, Obama warned about America abandoning its identity as a “rules-based society,” hinting at Trump’s aggressive and often legally questionable policies.
Meanwhile, Biden emphasized that Social Security is not just about money — it’s about dignity and trust.
“People worked their whole lives paying into this system. It’s not a luxury — it’s peace of mind,” he said. “The last thing they need is deliberate cruelty from their government.”
Biden’s remarks signal that Democrats are rallying around Social Security as a key issue to take on Trump in upcoming elections. With more than 73 million Americans relying on the program, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
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