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PRESIDENT Joe Biden is giving his farewell address to the nation five days before passing the torch to President-elect Donald Trump.
Biden’s final speech is expected to highlight the president’s achievements while in office, despite leaving the White House with his lowest-ever approval rating.
Americans generally view Biden’s time in the Oval Office as more of a failure than a success, according to a new CNN poll.
The research revealed just 36% of US adults approve of how Biden handled his presidency, which matches the lowest approval mark during his term.
In a farewell letter released by the White House on Wednesday morning, Biden wrote it was “the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years.”
“I have given my heart and my soul to our nation,” he said.
Biden is set to speak at 8 pm ET from behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office.
The last time Biden spoke behind the Resolute desk, he explained his decision not to run for reelection against Trump.
HOSTAGE DEAL
Biden’s fifth and final speech from the Oval Office comes just hours after Trump revealed Israel and Hamas have finally reached a ceasefire deal to release the hostages trapped in Gaza.
The president-elect confirmed the hostage deal and called the agreement “epic” in a post on Truth Social.
“WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!” Trump wrote.
He later added, “I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.”
Biden addressed the deal in a speech from the White House, saying it ends 15 months of suffering after months of negotiations.
“Fighting in Gaza will stop, and soon the hostages return home to their families,” Biden said.
He confirmed the plan’s terms will mostly be put in place by the incoming Trump administration.
“In these past few days, we have been speaking as one team,” he said.
President Biden’s speeches from the Resolute desk
President Joe Biden is giving his farewell address to the nation from behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office.
The last time Biden spoke from behind the Resolute desk, he explained his decision not to run for a second term in July 2024.
Biden has given five speeches from the Oval Office:
June 2, 2023 – On Congress approving the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, increasing the federal debt limit
October 19, 2023 – On the Israel-Hamas war and the Russian invasion of Ukraine
July 14, 2024 – On the assassination attempt on Donald Trump
July 24, 2024 – On his decision to withdraw from the presidential race
January 15, 2024 – His farewell address
Biden then fired back at a reporter who asked if he or Trump played a bigger part in getting the hostage deal done.
“Is that a joke?” Biden slammed.
Meanwhile, Trump said on Truth Social that the agreement would’ve never come about if he wasn’t elected.
“This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November,” Trump wrote.
The Republican continued to say his victory “signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies.”
