“This is America’s day.” These words marked the beginning of Joe Biden’s presidency. In a 20 minute speech, Biden spoke of how he will lead as the President of the United States and had a seemingly simple request: national unity.

The vast majority of the address was a plead to America to come together and move forward as a nation. Unity may seem like an unattainable goal right now, but Biden is sure it can be reached.

“Don’t tell me things can’t change,” Biden said.

He presented proof of America’s ability to move forward when united. “Here we stand, where 108 years ago…thousands of protestors tried to block brave women from marching for the right to vote,” he said. “Today, we mark the swearing-in of the first woman in American history elected to national office – Vice President Kamala Harris.”

Biden also spoke about the various difficulties being faced by our country right now, the majority related to or directly caused by the pandemic. He called attention to the lives taken, the jobs that have been lost, and the businesses that have been forced to close. He also spoke about racial justice and the environment.

After the address, thousands took to social media with reactions from all sides.

Many were in awe of the speech and the way Biden presented himself.

“I’m old enough to recall JFK’s inaugural address. He was stirring. I thought Joe Biden’s today was even better,” tweeted @RBReich.

@tribelaw called it “the finest inaugural address I’ve ever heard.”

“I felt like Biden did a very solid job on his address,” said Tucker Marcum, a political director and campaign manager. “He did a great job on spreading a message that was intended to encourage unity.”

On the other hand, some took to social media to tear Biden’s address apart.

@paulsperry_ tweeted “Biden was unconvincing as a peacemaker, the theme of his inaugural address. His tone was angry. His face was a perpetual scowl. His delivery was flinty bordering on pugilistic. His prose lacked soaring optimism.”

Danielle L., a college student and political journalist, asked “Biden called for unity in America, but what does ‘unity’ mean to him? Does he really want everyone to come together, or does he just want everyone to rally behind him and his ideology?”

Others were angry over the irony of the speech, drawing attention to the differences between Biden’s promises and actions.

Senator Bill Hagerty tweeted, “President Biden spoke about helping all Americans in his inaugural address, but his decision to cancel the Keystone Pipeline will only harm struggling families. It will raise gas prices and cause the loss of thousands of good jobs. Bad for our economic and national security!”

After Biden tweeted confirming that his favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate chip, @JordanUhl tweeted “joe biden promised to address family separation & reunite families day one via executive order. still no executive order, instead they’re posting about ice cream. maybe they’ll get around to it this week now that his favorite ice cream flavor has been announced.”

Americans may disagree on Biden’s policies, his inaugural address, and his first-day executive orders. No matter what side of the aisle they sit on, though, everyone is anxious to see how the next four years will go under his presidency.

To read the full address, visit the White House website here.