Backlash and discussions about political decorum have been triggered by the 36th White House press secretary’s recent comment regarding the former president’s comeback to the public eye.
In her direct response to former President Joe Biden’s first public speech since leaving office, Karoline Leavitt garnered media attention. The topic of his April 15, 2025, speech was Social Security.
Leavitt said in her statement, “I was surprised that former President Biden was speaking at night when I first saw him speaking tonight. I believed that he went to bed much earlier than he would speak tonight.
The 27-year-old added, “I am aware that Social Security will be the subject of his speech. Before former President Biden makes his comments, let me be very clear: President Trump is fully committed to preserving Social Security benefits for seniors and law-abiding, tax-paying Citizens of the United States.
“He will defend this program no matter what. He ran his campaign on it. He defended it during his first term, and he’s returning to do so again,” Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary to date, said.
On social media, Leavitt’s first part of her statement, which made fun of Biden’s age and energy, caused a lot of backlash. Many people called her remarks rude and unprofessional.
A number of Facebook users criticized her tone. “Very rude,” one person wrote. She is discussing a former US president. He is at least worthy of respect!
“Okay, so, even though I usually appreciate her direct demeanor, this was immature and disrespectful,” said another. Despite my distaste for him, President Biden was still our president and a human being.
One internet user commented, “Inappropriate.” “Very immature, rude, and uncivilized,” another commenter added. Another commenter said, “That was completely unnecessary and completely incorrect! However, I am not shocked by you [sic]!
Reactions on Instagram were just as intense. Although she does a fantastic job, one commenter felt that her remarks were inappropriate. It ought to be higher than that.
“Karoline, you went too far!” said another. It’s really unnecessary for someone in her position to say things like this, one internet user commented.
In a rare public appearance, Biden spoke at the national convention of Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) in Chicago on April 15, 2025. It was a part of a Social Security Day of Action that took place around the country.
During the meeting, Biden attacked the Social Security policies of President Donald Trump and his administration. Biden has mostly shunned public speech since leaving office, but his attendance at the gathering underscored mounting apprehensions regarding program modifications.
The meeting was held by the ACRD, which is dedicated to providing disability professionals with the resources, training, and technology they need to drive the sector forward.
The organization’s mission is to empower representatives, advocates, and counselors by promoting leadership in the disability support community and offering thorough education. Raising the bar for disability representation and assisting advocates in a variety of fields are at the heart of its purpose.
“President Biden’s voice is so important at this moment because it’s an all hands on deck moment,” said Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Biden’s appearance is framed by recent and contentious actions taken by the Trump administration that have an impact on the Social Security Administration (SSA). Following his return to office, President Trump announced plans to reduce the number of government employees, including 7,000 SSA workers.
Tougher identity-verification standards and a data-sharing program run by consultant Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency are the outcomes of other policy reforms.
Musk has called attention to the administration’s attempts to streamline Social Security, calling it “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.”
Some of these actions, though, have drawn criticism from the public and legal community. After Musk’s department was given access to people’s Social Security information by the SSA, a lawsuit was launched.
Recipients have also complained about problems like longer wait times on SSA’s helpline and inaccurate benefit status notifications.
Even though the agency blamed some problems on system malfunctions, there are still worries, particularly among Supplemental Security Income recipients who are low-income households and disabled.
Attending the ACRD event, lawyer Jason Turkish, who works for one of the biggest disability law firms in the nation, stated that a large number of his 32,000 clients experience anxiety. “There has always been a belief that Social Security is just something we do not touch,” he said, adding that the party switched from Republican to Democrat and then back to Republican.
Turkish expressed cautious optimism in the face of the unrest. He acknowledged SSA’s ongoing modernization efforts and pointed out that the agency had relaxed some of its identity verification requirements.
Biden’s comeback to the public eye occurred three months following his farewell speech on January 15, 2025. Speaking directly to the American people at the time, he expressed optimism for the future of the nation.
And to the American people, I will always be grateful. I promise you that after 50 years of public service, I still believe in the ideal that this country is built upon—one in which the virtues of our institutions and the character of its citizens are important and must endure,” he said.
Biden called on Americans to keep defending democratic principles in that same speech, saying, “Now it’s your turn to stand guard.” I hope you all keep the flame alive. May you continue to believe. America is a country I adore. And you adore it. God bless everyone. May God keep our troops safe.
It will take time to fully experience the impact of everything we’ve done together, he said as he wrapped up his term. However, once the seeds are sown, they will develop and blossom for many years to come.
Adding, “I wish the incoming administration success, because I want America to succeed,” Biden further expressed support for a smooth transition. To make sure we set a good example, I have thus fulfilled my responsibility to guarantee a smooth and orderly handover of power.
The way Karoline Leavitt responded to Joe Biden’s comeback to the public eye evoked powerful reactions from the public and highlighted the political tensions surrounding Social Security.
Biden’s appearance and Leavitt’s comments are indicative of the national discourse on leadership, policy direction, and public accountability as discussions about the program’s future continue.
