Concentration of Power Among Ultra-Wealthy Minorities
Concerns Rise Over Emergence of Tech Industrial Complex
Flood of Fake News on Social Media Also Highlighted
U.S. President Joe Biden, who is about to retire, expressed concerns about "unchecked power" in his farewell speech. This is interpreted as pointing out the fact that key positions in the next Donald Trump administration are being dominated by tech officials, including Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, thereby gaining omnipotent power.
On the 15th (local time), President Biden opened his nationwide farewell speech held in the White House Oval Office by saying, "Today, an oligarchy with extreme wealth, power, and influence is forming in the United States," adding, "This threatens our democracy, fundamental rights and freedoms, and the fair opportunity for everyone to succeed."
Choosing climate issues as a field threatened by the oligarchy, President Biden appealed not to succumb to their pressure, saying, "Powerful forces want to wield unchecked power for their own interests of power and profit by undermining the efforts we have built to solve the climate crisis."
The oligarchy mentioned by President Biden is interpreted as targeting the fact that billionaire and Silicon Valley figures are unusually numerous in the cabinet, led by President-elect Trump. He quoted former President Dwight Eisenhower's farewell address in 1961, warning of the vested interests of the "military-industrial complex," and stated, "I am equally concerned about the potential rise of a 'tech industrial complex' that could pose a real threat to our country."
The downside of the tech industrial complex that has seized power was identified as the flood of fake news on social networking services (SNS). President Biden criticized Meta Platforms, which operates Facebook and Instagram, for recently deciding to abolish third-party fact-checking that verifies fake news and factual accuracy on its platforms, saying, "Americans are buried under an avalanche of misinformation and falsehoods that cause abuse of power."
However, while delivering harsh criticism toward a potential second Trump term, President Biden did not forget to wish success for the new administration. He said, "Having spent 50 years in politics, I have realized that trusting America's ideals means respecting the institutions that govern a free society," and praised, "Our separation of powers, checks and balances system may not be perfect, but it has maintained democracy longer than any other country in history, for nearly 250 years." He then concluded his 17-minute farewell by saying, "Now it is your turn to stand guard. I hope you all become guardians of the flame."
President Biden, who took his first step into politics by being elected as a senator at the age of 29, is expected to conclude his political career spanning over half a century on the 20th. Although he has faced criticism for triggering two wars during his term, in Ukraine and the Middle East, he saved face on this day, just five days before his retirement, by achieving a diplomatic and security success with the conclusion of ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza war between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas.
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