During a press session on Friday, President Joe Biden didn’t mince words when responding to questions regarding Meta’s latest decision to overhaul its content moderation system. The company, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, had announced that it would no longer rely on fact-checkers, opting instead for user-generated community notes. Biden called this shift "really shameful," highlighting concerns about the spread of misinformation and the absence of professional oversight.
This conversation came after a public speech in the Roosevelt Room, where Biden celebrated a significant milestone for his administration—the continuous growth of jobs over the past four years. Following that, reporters had the chance to ask him a variety of questions on topics ranging from Meta’s decision to his plans post-presidency, new sanctions on Russia, the possibility of pardons, and Vice President Kamala Harris’s upcoming presidential campaign. But it was the discussion about Meta’s moderation changes that garnered the most attention.
Biden’s criticism of Meta’s move was blunt. The president pointed out the dangers of a billionaire—referring to Zuckerberg—making the call to dismantle fact-checking efforts entirely, leaving the door open for users to provide their own notes, some of which could be misleading or false. He remarked, "The idea that, you know, a billionaire can buy something and say, ‘By the way, from this point on, we’re not going to fact check anything.’ And you know, when you have millions of people reading, going online, reading this stuff… I think it’s really shameful."
Biden’s remarks underscore the concern that without professional fact-checkers, harmful content could proliferate unchecked, creating a potentially dangerous environment for those consuming information online. Meta’s move marks a striking departure from how the company once handled misinformation. Back in 2016, in the wake of criticisms about foreign influence on the platform and the spread of disinformation, Meta introduced an independent fact-checking program. The decision to abandon that initiative, Biden argues, could open the floodgates for false and misleading claims to spread even more rapidly, putting the integrity of information at risk.
Meta's new approach aligns with what Elon Musk did with X (formerly Twitter) after acquiring the platform in 2022. Musk eliminated Twitter’s fact-checking teams, opting instead for community-driven labels, allowing users to flag and correct misinformation. Zuckerberg defended his decision, citing a desire to move away from what he called "politically biased" fact-checking, which he claims has eroded trust rather than building it. In his announcement of the new policy, Zuckerberg acknowledged that, as a result of the changes, more harmful content might appear on Meta's platforms.
While some argue that user-generated content might allow for a more democratic form of moderation, Biden’s reaction illustrates how many believe it could fuel the spread of more harmful material. The real worry is how people’s perception of truth could be shaped by those who may not have the knowledge or interest to provide accurate information.
Beyond Meta’s decision, Biden also fielded questions about his presidential term and the future of his administration. One major point of interest was whether he would issue any pardons before leaving office. The president noted that he was closely monitoring statements from former President Donald Trump, particularly regarding his post-presidency plans. Biden hinted that he would make his pardon decisions based on the language Trump uses in the days leading up to the transition of power. He remarked, "It depends on some of the language and expectations that Trump broadcasts in the last couple of days here as to what he’s going to do."
When asked about the possibility of pardoning himself or his family, Biden seemed taken aback, firmly stating, “What would I pardon myself for? No, I have no contemplation of pardoning myself for anything. I didn’t do anything wrong.” The question of self-pardon has been a hot topic in American politics, with some wondering whether a president has the power to issue a pardon for themselves. Biden’s answer, while firm, left open the possibility that he might issue pardons for others, though he did not elaborate on who those individuals might be.
In the midst of questions about pardons, Biden also addressed his confidence in his vice president, Kamala Harris, as a potential presidential candidate. Biden expressed that he believed both he and Harris could have defeated Trump in the 2024 election, saying, "I think I would have beaten Trump, could’ve beaten Trump. I think Kamala could have beaten Trump, would have beaten Trump." Biden’s faith in Harris was clear, and he indicated that he was confident she could win the election if she chose to run in 2024. He added, "When the party was worried about whether or not I was going to be able to move, I thought, even though I thought I could win again, I thought it was better to unify the party."
Biden's remarks about Harris emphasized his belief in her competence and political acumen. However, when pressed about whether Harris should run for president in 2028, he was non-committal, suggesting that it would be up to Harris to decide. “I think that’s a decision she should make,” Biden said. His comments reflect his respect for Harris’s political future and her agency in shaping her own path.
Another subject that came up during Biden’s press conference was his stance on the mysterious "Havana Syndrome." The illness, which has affected American diplomats, spies, and intelligence officers overseas, has been the subject of much speculation, with some suggesting it could be linked to a foreign weapon. When asked about recent intelligence suggesting a possible link to a foreign actor, Biden chose not to comment, stating that he didn’t have a full briefing on the matter and wasn’t prepared to discuss it at that time.
Finally, looking to the future, Biden addressed the question of what role he might play post-presidency. When asked if he planned to follow the model of former President George W. Bush, who has largely stayed out of the political spotlight since leaving office, Biden made it clear that he won’t be "out of sight or out of mind." He stated, "I’m not gonna be out of sight or out of mind," hinting that he plans to remain active in the political process even after his term ends.
Biden’s remarks on Friday provide a glimpse into the closing days of his presidency. From criticizing Meta’s new approach to content moderation to reflecting on his legacy and the future of the Democratic Party, Biden showed that he remains engaged with the key issues of the day. Whether it's the fight against misinformation, the consideration of pardons, or his thoughts on Harris’s political future, the president’s comments reveal a leader who is deeply involved in the ongoing conversation around the nation's future.
As Biden prepares to exit the White House, his influence on both domestic and international affairs remains significant. Whether or not his decisions will reverberate in the years to come remains to be seen, but for now, he continues to push for what he believes is the right path forward—on issues ranging from tech and media to political leadership.
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