Biden Delivers Farewell Speech Amid Low Approval Ratings

U.S. President Joe Biden is set to deliver his farewell speech from the Oval Office on Wednesday evening before leaving the White House, attempting to remind Americans of what he has achieved during his half-century political career. However, Biden’s speech is unlikely to improve his popularity, as opinion polls show that his approval rating for his presidency stands at only 37%, according to Emerson College data.

The White House published a detailed statement outlining Biden’s administration’s record over the past four years, noting that he took office in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the largest economic crisis since the Great Depression. He provided vaccines, introduced an American Rescue Plan to support affected families, and left the economy in a strong position. Biden created 16.6 million new jobs, raised wages, and reduced unemployment and inflation.

The White House also highlighted Biden’s legislative achievements, including the Climate Act, the first law regulating the use of assault firearms, infrastructure improvements, encouraging investment in semiconductors and technological innovations, and attracting over a trillion dollars in private investments for clean energy projects. These projects included infrastructure repairs, roads, bridges, airports, strengthening supply chains, and housing construction.

The statement noted that President Biden is proud to be the most union-friendly president in history, having raised the minimum wage and boosted investments in American manufacturing with the slogan “Made in America.”

In terms of foreign policy, the White House said Biden reaffirmed America’s leadership on the global stage, revitalized networks of alliances and partnerships, and modernized the military, making the American people safer and more prosperous. Without mentioning Afghanistan specifically, the statement said Biden ended the longest war in U.S. history. It also provided more details about Biden’s defense of Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion, offering economic and military support, rallying 50 countries to back Kyiv, imposing the strongest sanctions on Russia, strengthening NATO defenses, and bolstering the U.S. competitive stance with China.

The network of alliances and partnerships is the most prominent area the White House emphasizes, citing the trilateral partnership between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, the AUKUS alliance between the U.S., the U.K., and Australia, the expanded partnership with the Philippines, and the launch of a strategy for Africa. The White House described these alliances as the strongest ever in modern history, thanks to President Biden’s work in revitalizing relations with countries around the world.

The White House also takes pride in Biden establishing a defense alliance for Israel after Hamas launched an attack on October 7, with Iran firing hundreds of missiles with the support of its proxies. The statement said the president “worked day and night” to secure a deal for the release of hostages held by Hamas, a ceasefire, the delivery of humanitarian aid, the resolution of the conflict, and the creation of conditions for peace, supporting the two-state solution.

The Biden administration established air defense networks and agreements in the Middle East, making the United States’ traditional adversaries, including Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas, “weaker than at any time in decades.” It added that under Biden’s direction, the U.S. successfully targeted ISIS and Al-Qaeda leaders, killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, launched a strategy for combating domestic terrorism, and used intensive diplomacy to negotiate the release of Americans wrongfully detained abroad, bringing 75 Americans back home.

A survey by Emerson College showed that Biden began his term in 2021 with an approval rating of 49%, but is now ending his term with a 12-point drop, reaching 37%. The survey, published Tuesday, also found that 67% of American voters believe the country is on the wrong track, while 33% think it is heading in the right direction.

Another poll by Gallup showed more positive approval ratings on several issues, with Biden receiving just over 50% in 18 areas, including federal debt (67%), immigration (64%), reducing the gap between the rich and the poor (60%), the economy (59%), America’s global standing (58%), and crime reduction (51%).