Former President Joe Biden used the term “colored kids” during his first public address since leaving office, as he discussed his motivations for entering politics.
Speaking at the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) conference on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois, the 82-year-old former president reflected on his childhood experiences with segregation in Delaware.
Biden recounted moving from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Wilmington, Delaware, as a young boy and noted that before relocating, he had “never seen hardly any black people.” He described his mother driving him to Catholic school in Wilmington when he was in fourth grade.
“I remember seeing kids going by, at the time called ‘colored kids,’ on a bus go by — they never turned right to go to Claymont High School,” Biden said during his speech.
The former president explained that realizing black children were not allowed to attend public schools with white students sparked his sense of outrage as a child and motivated his political career. While the term he used was common decades ago, it is now considered offensive and outdated, reflecting an era of racial segregation in American history.
The 30-minute speech primarily focused on defending Social Security, which Biden characterized as more than just a government program.
In his remarks, Biden sharply criticized the current administration’s approach to Social Security. Without directly naming President Donald Trump, Biden accused Republicans in Congress of wanting to “cut and gut” the program that provides benefits to approximately 80 million retired Americans. Biden expressed anger at these efforts, asking rhetorically, “Who the hell do they think they are?” before pulling back and saying, “I will not go further. I’ll get in trouble.”
The former president specifically targeted the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, claiming they have “taken a hatchet” to the Social Security Administration. Biden pointed to issues affecting beneficiaries, including website crashes, delayed benefit checks, staff layoffs, and stricter identity verification processes that have created barriers for many Americans.
Biden also addressed claims of fraud in the Social Security system made by President Trump and Musk. The former president joked about supposed beneficiaries living for centuries, saying he wanted to meet these 300-year-old Social Security recipients and learn their secrets to longevity.
The speech encountered some technical difficulties from the start. As Biden took the podium, a Bruce Springsteen track—his introduction music—continued playing loudly in the background, drowning out his opening lines. The former president began speaking despite the music, confusing attendees trying to hear his initial remarks.
After his speech, Biden appeared momentarily confused about how to exit the stage. Cameras captured the former president standing wide-eyed at the podium, looking to both ends of the stage before identifying the stairs, pointing at them, and making his exit.
During the ACRD conference, Biden was presented with an award recognizing his accomplishments as president, including his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. This marked a rare public appearance for Biden, who has maintained a low profile since leaving office in January.
The White House responded to Biden’s criticisms by calling his accusations about Social Security cuts “an all-out lie.” Administration officials pointed to President Trump’s campaign promise not to touch Social Security benefits, contrasting with Biden’s characterization of their policies.
Some commentators noted that Biden’s verbal misstep regarding “colored kids” likely reminded many Democrats why he ultimately chose not to seek reelection in 2024, allowing for a younger candidate to take the Democratic nomination. The former president’s tendency for gaffes had been a persistent concern throughout his political career and presidency.
Biden’s speech signals a potential return to a more active public role after months of relative seclusion. Sources close to the former president have indicated he is focusing on reconnecting with family and planning a foundation to defend his presidential legacy.
