Biden Includes Insidious Lie About America in His Farewell Letter
President Joe Biden addressed the nation with a farewell letter on Wednesday, marking the end of his term. While the letter painted a picture of optimism and achievement, it was riddled with misleading claims. Notably, Biden credited his policies with creating a strong economy and overlooked the role his weak international presence played in foreign policy failures.
However, the most insidious element of the letter wasn’t an outright falsehood but a subtle and dangerous misrepresentation cloaked in patriotic language. Biden repeatedly described America as an “idea,” using the term no fewer than five times.
“America is an idea stronger than any army and larger than any ocean. It’s the most powerful idea in the history of the world,” Biden stated. “That idea is that we are all created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
He continued, “We’ve never fully lived up to this sacred idea, but we’ve never walked away from it either. And I do not believe the American people will walk away from it now. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands.”
At first glance, Biden’s language seems patriotic and rooted in the ideals of the nation’s founding. But defining America solely as an “idea” falls short of capturing its essence. America is far more than a collection of abstract principles; it is a nation—a tangible entity built on shared history, culture, and sacrifices.
The notion that America is merely a “propositional nation” implies that anyone can become an American by simply adopting certain principles like freedom or democracy.
While these ideals are important, they don’t encompass the deeper bonds that make a nation. Such thinking enables political elites to justify policies that erode the cultural and historical fabric of the country.
Historically, the founders saw America as a nation forged through shared experiences and common ties. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Jay wrote in the Federalist Papers that America was a people united by “the same ancestors, speaking the same language, professing the same religion, attached to the same principles of government, very similar in their manners and customs,” who fought side by side in the struggle for liberty and independence. These bonds, rooted in shared history and sacrifice, cannot be replaced by mere ideological assent.
The process of becoming American goes far beyond adopting a set of values. True assimilation requires a deep connection to the nation’s culture, traditions, and way of life—something that takes time and commitment.
This perspective was echoed by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance in a speech at the National Conservatism conference. He countered the idea of America as merely a “creedal nation,” saying, “America is not just an idea, though we were founded on great ideas. America is a nation. It is a group of people with a common history and a common future.”
Vance highlighted how his ancestors, buried in Eastern Kentucky, instilled a profound sense of belonging and duty. “The people of that part of the country love America not because it’s a good idea, but because in their bones they know that this is their home, and it will be their children’s home, and they would die fighting to protect it.”
This vision of America, grounded in shared heritage and a sense of home, inspires genuine patriotism—a far cry from the abstract, propositional version espoused by Biden.
While ideas like liberty and equality are foundational, they are only part of the story. America is a nation of people bound by a rich history, enduring traditions, and a commitment to one another—something far deeper than an “idea.”