With only days left in the White House, President Joe Biden was saving a few surprises for his farewell address Wednesday evening.

"Today an oligarchy is taking shape in America that literally threatens our democracy, our basic rights, our freedoms," the president said.

Biden conveyed his deep appreciation for first lady Jill Biden, who joined him in the Oval Office. “My deepest appreciation to our amazing first lady with me in the Oval today, for our entire family, you’re the love of my life and the lives of my love,” he said. “My eternal thanks to you, the American people.”

After four years in the White House – and a half-century in Washington – President Joe Biden has said farewell.

All major broadcast and cable news networks are expected to carry the address, which the White House says will be 20 minutes in length.

U.S. President Joe Biden will speak to the nation during his farewell address live today, Wednesday, Jan. 15 on major cable networks. Here, Biden answers questions from reporters as he speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Nov. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) Susan Walsh/AP

President Joe Biden in his Wednesday farewell speech to the nation warned that American democracy was sliding into an “oligarchy” of tech billionaires

President Biden is leaving office after a single term that many Americans regard as unsuccessful. But it could be viewed more favorably over time.