Internet slams Joe Biden for bragging Republicans and Supreme Court couldn't stop his student debt waiver

CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA: President Joe Biden, on Wednesday, February 21, touted his efforts towards student debt cancellation as he ramped up his reelection campaign.

Speaking at the Julian Dixon Library in Culver City, Biden addressed a small audience, putting the spotlight on his administration's ongoing initiatives.

Expanding Student Debt Forgiveness

"Folks, I'm happy to have been able to forgive these loans because when we relieve Americans of their student debt, they're free to chase their dreams," stated Biden, referring to his administration's recent move to automatically cancel federal student loans for nearly 153,000 borrowers, amounting to an additional $1.2 billion of the $138 billion already forgiven under the program.

The White House's initiative, dubbed the SAVE program, targets borrowers who have been making repayments for at least ten years after taking out loans of less than $12,000 for college.

With over 7.5 million enrollees in the program, the administration aims to provide relief, particularly after facing legal challenges, including a Supreme Court ruling against a previous debt cancellation plan.

Reflecting on these challenges, President Biden expressed frustration with opponents who sought to derail his efforts. "My Republican friends in Congress, elected officials and special interest stepped in and sued us and the Supreme Court blocked it, blocked it," he said. "But that didn't stop me."

The president insisted it was more than just about the 800,000 people who had already had loans forgiven. 

"This kind of relief can be life-changing for individuals and for their families. and it's good for the economy as a whole," he added. "By freeing millions of Americans from the crushing debt of student loan programs, it means they can finally get on with their lives. Instead of getting their lives being put on hold, they can think about buying a house or starting a family."

Responding to concerns about potential legal hurdles, President Biden remained steadfast, asserting confidence in the resilience of the SAVE program. "I don’t have a worry at all," he affirmed, dismissing any apprehensions regarding further court challenges, NBC News reported.

Social Media Backlash

However, the president was slammed on social media by critics of the forgiveness program.

"Pay your own debt!" one posted on X.

"NOT Cancelled. Debt has been reassigned to the Taxpayers," another wrote.

"He's admitting to circumventing the constitution," a comment read.

"Meh. I guess I’m old enough to remember when you paid your debts," someone else added.

"What senile Joe is doing is forcing taxpayers who bear no responsibility for those student loans to pay off those student loans. This nonsense will never survive appellate review," another chimed in.

Support from Local Leaders & Fundraising Success

Despite criticisms, Biden continued his campaign trip through California, engaging with supporters and local leaders. His visit was punctuated by stops at various venues including C.J.'s Cafe, providing an opportunity for personal interactions and grassroots engagement.

Biden, however, ignored a question about whether he would have to give a strong State of the Union speech to win re-election. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass interjected, saying, "He's going to win reelection, anyway."

Despite facing setbacks such as Covid-19-related absences at an earlier event, Biden remained focused on his agenda, warning against the potential consequences of a Donald Trump victory in the upcoming election.

Amidst the campaign fervor, Biden's fundraising efforts received a significant boost, with a reported $42 million in contributions during January alone. The campaign touted their apparent grassroots support, highlighting the role of small donations in shaping electoral outcomes.

With a record $130 million in cash on hand, the Biden campaign aims to leverage these resources in reaching out to key voter demographics. Senior communications adviser TJ Ducklo commented on the strategic significance of these contributions. "This haul will go directly to reaching the voters who will decide this election," he said.