
President Joe Biden delivered his final address from the Oval Office before Donald Trump's second inauguration, sparking reactions from late-night hosts and political pundits.
- Jan 17, 2025
AceShowbiz - As President Joe Biden delivered his final address from the Oval Office, America's late-night hosts and political pundits weren't shy about expressing their thoughts on his farewell remarks, offering a mix of humor and biting criticism.
On "The Tonight Show", Jimmy Fallon recounted Biden's speech, emphasizing the president's warnings about an impending oligarchy and a tech industrial complex. Fallon humorously noted, "Where was this guy? Biden couldn't sing 'Happy Birthday.' Suddenly he pulls out 'oligarchy' and 'tech industrial complex'?"
"The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert also poked fun at Biden's warnings, quipping, "That's been a threat since I was a kid. Back then we called it Radio Shack." His critique touched on Biden's delivery style too, "But, I gotta say, delivering it in your trademark low power mode whisper ramble robbed it of a certain essential urgency."
In a similar jab, "Late Night" host Seth Meyers said Biden's comments were nothing new since Bernie Sanders has been warning about the same issue for decades. "It would have been nice if Democrats had maybe tried talking about this during the campaign when people were paying attention… Now Biden's on his way out and suddenly he's full of ideas," he mocked.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Kimmel on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" highlighted that Biden's approval rating was at an all-time low and jabbed at Biden's memory, "Joe Biden leaves the office with the lowest approval rating of his presidency at 63 percent," he said before quipping, "The good news is he won't remember any of it."
Political commentators were equally critical. CNN analyst Scott Jennings dismissed Biden's farewell address as a farce. On "Anderson Cooper 360", Jennings argued that Biden's tenure might be remembered primarily for ushering in and then amplifying Trumpism.
Fox News host Dana Perino accused the president of hypocrisy, noting his recent praise of billionaire George Soros despite criticizing dark money. Social media was similarly ablaze with harsh criticisms from various commentators, highlighting Biden's divisive and underwhelming term.
However, not all reactions were negative. Former President Barack Obama and former Obama Adviser David Axelrod praised Biden's speech and service, noting his leadership during the pandemic.
Biden, in his address, voiced concerns about concentrated wealth and influence in the hands of a few, framing his warnings as a defense of democracy. As Biden prepares to hand over the reins, his farewell has stirred a pot of praise, criticism, and comedic reflection, marking a contentious end to a historic presidency.