President Joe Biden expressed deep concern about the state of American democracy in an interview Thursday with MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell, marking the final sit-down of his presidency.

The conversation came a day after Biden delivered an Oval Office address focused on the threats posed by concentrated power, wealth, and misinformation.

When asked by O’Donnell if he felt a sense of relief as his administration concludes, Biden responded, “No. But there was a sense of serious concern. You’ve known me a long time. I really am concerned about how fragile democracy is. That sounds corny, but I really am concerned, because you have heard me say it a hundred times.”

Biden expanded on his worry, suggesting that the United States is at a pivotal moment in its history.

“I really think we’re in an inflection point in history here, where, unrelated to any particular leader, things are going to change drastically,” he said.

In his remarks, Biden emphasized the importance of democratic safeguards designed to protect the system from abuses of power.

“The reason for all the safeguards out there is, in a very trite way to say it, is to keep the bullies from taking advantage of everybody else,” Biden said.

He cited institutions such as the Supreme Court, Congress, and the presidency as critical guardrails that ensure accountability and limit unilateral authority.

“There’s a Supreme Court that’s independent, but accountable. There is a Congress that you speak your mind, but you’re held accountable to basic standards. There’s a presidency that says you have really limited powers. I mean, you’re the top dog, but you can’t dictate everything,” he explained.

Biden: If the decision is made that the multi-billionaires, the super, super wealthy, the wealthiest people in the world began to control all the apparatuses from the media to the economy… pic.twitter.com/s70BXyaS3v

— Acyn (@Acyn) January 17, 2025

Biden’s concerns echoed sentiments he shared during his Oval Office address on Wednesday.

In that speech, he criticized the growing influence of the billionaire class and the threats posed by social media misinformation to democracy and freedoms.

Without naming individuals directly, Biden’s remarks appeared to allude to President-elect Donald Trump’s ties to tech moguls like Elon Musk.

“The power of the billionaire class… [is] the key threat to democracy, our basic rights [and] our freedoms,” Biden said during his Wednesday address.

During the interview, Biden reflected on his administration’s achievements and his approach to governing.

While acknowledging significant policy successes, he admitted he may have fallen short in effectively communicating those accomplishments to the public.

“I’m not a very good huckster,” Biden said. “Ironically, I almost spent too much time on the policy and not enough time on the politics.”

He pointed to moments when Democratic senators highlighted legislative victories without fully crediting the administration, saying it was “almost bad taste” to claim political wins.

As Biden prepares to leave office, his reflections underscore his belief in the importance of protecting democratic norms and addressing systemic challenges.

While he expressed concern for the fragility of democracy, his comments also highlighted the ongoing responsibility of leaders to uphold accountability and safeguard freedoms.

The interview concludes a presidency marked by policy achievements and challenges in an era of heightened political division.

Biden’s message serves as a reminder of the complexities of governance and the enduring importance of democratic values.