'I believe in America': Fired-up Biden uses State of the Union to skewer GOP, his 'predecessor'
The president made the case for why he deserves a second term.
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:
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.
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
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.
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!"
Biden address his age, a key issue for his reelection campaign
As Biden began to wrap up his speech, he made his first reference to his age: an issue polling has shown is a major concern for voters.
The remark mixed Biden's strategy for quelling such doubts: self-deprecating humor and assurances that age equals wisdom.
"I know I may not look like it, but I’ve been around a while," he joked. "And when you get to my age certain things become clearer than ever before."
"My lifetime has taught me to embrace freedom and democracy," he said. "A future based on the core values that have defined America. Honesty. Decency. Dignity. Equality. To respect everyone. To give everyone a fair shot. To give hate no safe harbor."
He added: "Now some other people my age see a different story. An American story of resentment, revenge, and retribution. That’s not me."
Continuing to swipe indirectly at Trump, who is 77, Biden said it's Trump who will move the country in the wrong direction.
"My fellow Americans, the issue facing our nation isn’t how old we are, it’s how old our ideas are. Hate, anger, revenge, retribution are among the oldest of ideas. But you can’t lead America with ancient ideas that only take us back."