Former President Joe Biden made a public appearance on April 15, 2025, delivering a speech on Social Security at a disability conference in Chicago. In his address, he criticized the attempts made during the Trump administration to reduce the program and advocated for the safeguarding of benefits for retirees and individuals with disabilities. However, it was a remark from Karoline Leavitt, the 27-year-old White House press secretary, that garnered significant media attention. She ridiculed Biden’s age by stating, “I’m shocked he’s speaking at night. I thought his bedtime was much earlier.” While she reiterated Trump’s dedication to preserving Social Security, her tone drew considerable backlash online, with many labeling her comments as disrespectful and unprofessional. Biden’s speech also brought to light concerns regarding recent cuts to SSA staff, new identification requirements, and data-sharing initiatives involving adviser Elon Musk, who has previously referred to Social Security as a “Ponzi scheme.” Disability rights attorney Jason Turkish noted that many of his clients are anxious about these developments, although some SSA policies have been relaxed due to public pressure. As discussions surrounding Social Security persist, Biden’s speech and Leavitt’s remarks highlight the ongoing divisions regarding the program’s future and the standards of political discourse.
