As the President was bidding his adieu, he took the opportunity to alert the nation to potential dangers to its democracy. However, Seth Meyers whimsically suggested that this exit disclosure was simply in the manner of a burdensome task-list. He offered a mock commendation, stating, ‘Astonishing revelation, one can only wish this ambitious individual pursues a position in government to remedy these concerns’. Though a jab at President Biden’s conduct, it carries an undertone of dismay at the incumbent government announcing these threats only at the term’s end.
Biden’s swan song on Wednesday comprised a list of threats that, according to him, jeopardize our democracy, basic rights, and freedoms. One of the key threats he highlighted was the emergence of an oligarchy. Yet, the next day, Seth Meyers seized on this firm warning, ridiculing Biden for sounding alarms on his ‘final day of duty, conveniently slipping suggestions into the box.’ Meyers’ sentiment reflects a disappointment, a ‘Why inform us now about America’s transformation into an oligarchy?’ This late enlightenment seems less like sincere concern and more like a passing of responsibility onto the next administration.
Seth Meyers continued his sarcastic praise, expressing a desperate hope that ‘this resourceful young man’ might one day choose to run for political office and subsequently set things in order. It is apparent here that Meyers is satirically hinting at Biden’s reactive rather than proactive approach to such significant threats to American democracy. The late notification and urgent tone imply a lack of serious action during his tenure.
Jordan Klepper’s reaction to Biden’s farewell address comes as a tongue-in-cheek criticism. According to him, the President merely identified problems without proposing any solutions. He quipped, ‘There is a menacing threat of an oligarchy by the affluent elite, and that is why I am granting pardon to Luigi Mangione. Give it your best, you braveheart!’ Klepper thus echoes the sentiment that Biden’s speech, instead of instigating change, seemed to sidestep the issues at hand.
Biden’s speech played out more like a stern reprimand than a final presidential address to many. He did not mince words while cautioning about perils to democracy, including the degeneration of American journalism and the dangerous onset of an oligarchy, where a handful of wealthy individuals hold excessive power and sway. The underlying message seemingly was, according to Jimmy Kimmel, ‘I’m taking an early exit; perhaps you should consider the same’ – a jibe at Biden’s own ambivalence towards the threats he outlined.
Indeed, Biden used his final address not to reflect on accomplishments or outline a vision for America’s future, but to issue a stern warning against the rise of oligarchy. The American public, however, appeared less than impressed. As Jordan Klepper humorously notes, ‘You could tell the contents of the speech were quite impactful because the next thing you see after his address was a sudden spike in Google searches for ‘What is an oligarchy?” Even Google’s reputed response of ‘Don’t worry about it’ served to diminish the seriousness of the President’s speech.
Biden, who could hardly stammer out the ‘Happy Birthday’ song, astonishingly managed to lecture on ‘oligarchy’ and the ‘tech industrial complex’ in his valediction. However, his timing was questionable at best. Fallon asked, ‘Where was this guy earlier?’ An echo of public sentiment, this comment insinuates that Biden’s dramatic revelations came too late and were perhaps too grandiose for a farewell address.
Stephen Colbert entered the foray to critique Biden’s signature whispering delivery style. He sarcastically thanked the President for the grim forewarning but noted that the unassertive, soft-spoken delivery diluted the urgency of the situation. Again, it strikes as paradoxical that while the President warned of ominous threats, his delivery lacked the immediacy and sternness to drive the message home.
Biden’s claim of ‘Americans being swamped by a flood of misinformation and disinformation’ was met with a humorous reaction from Jimmy Kimmel. He jested that he half-expected Biden to break into a rap following that statement. Again, the satire here is pointed towards the lackluster seriousness of Biden’s address, despite the gravity of the issues he presented.
Seth Meyers questioned Biden’s timing for such critical revelations, sarcastically expressing his agreement but questioning, ‘Why are you handing over the problem to us as your parting gift?’ This jest neatly encapsulates the general sentiment of disapproval for Biden’s unceremonious departure, leaving behind a legacy of alarm and concern.