Staff Reports
President Biden’s upcoming farewell speech is an exercise in optimism that only he could pull off. Scheduled for Monday at the State Department—where he gave his first major address to the world in February 2021—this event promises to be a tour de force of misplaced confidence. A senior administration official had no qualms in spilling the beans about Biden’s ambitious plan to outline what he believes constitutes the highlights of his foreign policy, undoubtedly filled with the kind of lofty ideals that missed their mark throughout his presidency.
The centerpiece of Biden’s oration will center around the notion that America’s strength hinges on global alliances—an idea that sounds great in theory but has crumbled under scrutiny. After all, most Americans can recall the glorified diplomatic circus that unfolded under his watch, particularly notable in the face of challenges like Russia’s aggression and the constant shifting allegiances in the Indo-Pacific. He plans to wax poetic about his attempts to pump life into NATO and lend a hand to Ukraine while conveniently glossing over the fact that many of these efforts have not exactly paved a smooth road.
Doocy aka "Stupid son of a bitch": “In the next 2 weeks, we will get 2 Biden speeches. 1 on foreign policy, and 1 on his 50 years in D.C. There’s no plans for an end of term press conference.”
Teleprompted, notes, and slurring. pic.twitter.com/ByIKBfyjDM
— Sara Rose 🇺🇸🌹 (@saras76) January 7, 2025
Biden’s narrative will inevitably include his claim that he leaves Trump a shiny, well-polished America—better off than it was when he inherited the presidency. This, of course, would require a significant suspension of disbelief given the ongoing chaos and division America faces. The glowing report card will certainly overlook the dismal facts surrounding international relations that many Americans have become painfully aware of over the last couple of years. If “America is back,” as he said during his inaugural address, it’s hard to tell through the lens of economic downturns, border crises, and escalating global tensions.
As always, the elephant in the room will be the flashbulb moment of the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, a moment that even the most deluded supporters must regard with a hint of embarrassment. With the unfortunate loss of 13 American service members, this incident won’t be easily swept under the rug, regardless of how much Biden tries to fast-talk his way around it during his speech. American voters expressed their disapproval loudly and clearly after that debacle, and it’s safe to say approval ratings took a downward spiral that even a charismatic farewell couldn’t salvage.
Not to be outdone, Biden is also prepping a second speech intended as a heartfelt goodbye, drawn from the same playbook as his Democratic predecessors. This will allow him to reflect on his extensive history of public service, which might leave out a few details about the less-than-glorious moments of his last two years in office. While Biden seeks to project a semblance of hope for the future, many Americans are likely to be left wondering if the future he envisions is one they want to partake in.
