'I believe in America': Fired-up Biden uses State of the Union to skewer GOP

The president made the case for why he deserves a second term.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Tal Axelrod, Meredith Deliso, and Leah Sarnoff
Last Updated: March 7, 2024, 7:00 PM EST

President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday night.

The speech provided Biden one of his biggest audiences of the year as he made his case for a second term and contrasted his vision of the country's future with Republicans ahead of what's expected to be a lengthy general election fight with former President Donald Trump.

ABC News live-blogged every major moment and highlight from the speech, with 538 providing analysis and a closer look at the polling and data behind the politicians.

Key moments:

Here's how the news developed.
Mar 07, 2024, 10:13 PM EST

Biden says he will 'protect and strengthen' Social Security

Biden urged lawmakers to "all agree once again to stand up for seniors" while calling for Social Security protections.

"If anyone here tries to cut Social Security or Medicare or raise the retirement age, I will stop you," he said to applause.

"I will protect and strengthen Social Security and make the wealthy pay their fair share," he said.

"If anyone here tries to cut Social Security or Medicare or raise the retirement age, I will stop you," Biden said to applause.
1:09

Biden vows to 'protect and strengthen' Social Security

"If anyone here tries to cut Social Security or Medicare or raise the retirement age, I will stop you," Biden said to applause.
Win Mcnamee/Getty Images

Mar 07, 2024, 10:13 PM EST

Americans approve of efforts to cancel student debt

We haven't seen as much polling on student loans since the Supreme Court scuttled Biden's big student-loan forgiveness plan this summer. But a slim majority of Americans, 51%, approved of Biden’s plans in a NORC for GenForward And a Winston Group for Winning the Issues poll from September found that a plurality, 44%, trust Democrats more on the student debt issue.

—Monica Potts, 538

Mar 07, 2024, 10:13 PM EST

Biden calls for tax reform

Biden also called for tax reform, reiterating a longtime push to boost taxes on the wealthiest Americans.

"I propose a minimum tax for billionaires of 25%, just 25%. You know what that would raise? That would raise $500 billion over the next 10 years. Imagine what that could do for America," he said, noting the additional funds could fund things like expanded child care.

Mar 07, 2024, 10:13 PM EST

Biden on helping 4 million Americans reduce student debt

Biden spoke of the burden of student debt during his State of the Union address.

"I fixed student loan programs to reduce the burden of student debt for nearly 4 Million Americans including nurses firefighters and others in public service," Biden said.

The President referenced Keenan Jones, a public-school educator in Minnesota, who is in the audience Thursday.

"He’s educated hundreds of students so they can go to college, now he can help his own daughter pay for college," Biden said of Jones.

"Such relief is good for the economy because folks are now able to buy a home, start a business and even start a family," Biden said, adding, "While we’re at it I want to give public school teachers a raise!"