Former President Joe Biden has made his first public appearance since undergoing cancer therapy, delivering a passionate and emotional speech that ignited both hope and reflection. Speaking at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award, Biden warned that the United States is going through “dark and perilous times” — but reminded Americans that giving up has never been part of the nation’s DNA.

“We are in one of those moments right now,” Biden said. “In over fifty years of public life, this is the worst I’ve seen it. But America always emerges stronger, wiser, and more resilient.”

A Call to Rise — “Get Up, America!”

Biden’s words carried a familiar echo — one rooted deeply in personal resilience and national identity.
He recalled the lessons his father once taught him as a child during hard times:

“‘You get knocked down, Joey, get up. Just get up.’ That’s my message to us tonight,” he said, his voice steady yet emotional. “There’s no time to give up. It’s time to get up.”

Throughout his speech, Biden tied this personal mantra to the spirit of Ted Kennedy, the late senator known for his lifelong fight for social justice and equality. “If Ted were here today, he’d still be fighting like hell,” Biden said. “He believed in the power of democracy to pull our nation through its worst moments — and so must we.”

“Our Democracy Is at Stake”

Biden didn’t shy away from the hard truths.
He described the current political landscape as fractured and dangerous, warning that American democracy itself is on the line.

“We all agree our politics is broken,” he said. “Political violence is out of hand. America must be a place not of extremism and fury, but of decency and grace.”

He reminded the audience that America’s strength has never come from geography, ethnicity, or religion — but from an idea.

“America is the only country in the world founded on an idea,” he continued. “An idea more powerful than any army, stronger than any dictator — that all of us are created equal and deserve to live with dignity.”

Biden argued that this founding principle only survives when citizens respect the institutions that sustain democracy:
a presidency with limited powers, a functioning Congress, an independent judiciary, and a free press.

“It depends on all of us — we the people,” he emphasized.

The Battle for the Soul of the Nation

Throughout the address, Biden’s tone shifted from warning to inspiration. He urged Americans not to retreat into despair or cynicism but to stand up against abuses of power and protect democratic institutions.

“No one gets a pass on standing up to bullies,” he declared. “Time and again, in moments of great crisis, we have summoned the better angels of our nature. And we’ve brought this country back from the brink.”

According to Biden, those angels are alive and active today — in everyday citizens showing courage across the nation:

• Federal employees refusing unlawful orders.

• Universities defending academic freedom despite threats.

• Late-night hosts protecting free speech, even at personal risk.

• Journalists and advocacy groups standing firm against intimidation.

“Ordinary Americans are doing what Teddy Kennedy spent his life doing,” Biden said. “Standing tall, fighting for our country’s highest ideals — because they believe the soul of this nation is worth fighting for.”

Hope in Hard Times

Biden’s speech was not just political; it was deeply philosophical. He reflected on America’s 250-year journey as a constant battle between “peril and possibility.”

“We’re not guaranteed any happy endings,” he admitted. “But I still believe the America of our dreams is closer than we think.”

He praised the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for teaching young people to strengthen and cherish democratic values — calling it vital to America’s future.

“When I was President, I said the most urgent question facing the country was whether democracy is still America’s sacred cause,” Biden reminded the crowd. “I believe the answer is yes. It can never be no.”

Legacy, Leadership, and Light

As Biden nears the twilight of his public life, he reflected on what he hopes his legacy will be.

“Whatever my legacy may be, I hope it will be said of me what was true of Teddy — that he believed in democracy, and that he knew it was worth fighting for.”

He acknowledged the “dark days” America faces — politically, socially, and morally — but expressed unshakable faith in the nation’s ability to rebound.

“Every time we’ve been to the edge, we’ve found our way back — stronger, wiser, more resilient, more just,” he said.

“Be Strong and Have Courage”

In closing, Biden invoked scripture often quoted by the Kennedy family:
“Be strong and have good courage. Be not afraid and be not dismayed.”

Then came the moment that summed up the spirit of his speech — a direct, emotional challenge to the audience and to the nation:

“It’s time to get back up. Time to fight like Teddy would fight. That’s what we owe each other. That’s what we owe our children. Above all else — get up, America! Get up, get up, get up now!”

The crowd rose to its feet in a standing ovation — a reflection of not just respect for Biden’s words, but for the enduring call to hope and perseverance that has long defined his career.

 A Reminder of What Leadership Sounds Like

In an age of division and anger, Biden’s fiery yet hopeful address was a reminder of moral clarity and decency in leadership.
He did not promise miracles. Instead, he called for courage, compassion, and collective action.

“This is what leadership sounds like,” one attendee remarked afterward.
“It’s what decency and dignity sound like — and what America still needs.”