Amid slumping approval ratings, President Donald Trump used a prime-time speech Wednesday to deride his predecessor, assert that his economic plan is working and suggest that Americans need to be patient as his policies start to kick in.
Trump, in an 18-minute address from the White House, rolled out no new proposals apart from what he called a $1,776 “warrior dividend” that will go to nearly 1.5 million military service members in honor of the nation’s founding almost 250 years ago.
“And the checks are already on the way,” he said. “No one understood that one until about 30 minutes ago; we made a lot more money than anyone thought because of tariffs.”
Trump marshaled the power of incumbency to command broad television network coverage for a speech that largely reiterated points he has made in public appearances and interviews since he returned to office in January.
He spoke at a faster clip than usual and for the most part appeared to stick to the prepared text. He rattled off the price of eggs, Thanksgiving turkeys and airline tickets to amplify his argument that costs are dropping on his watch and to persuade the nation that former President Joe Biden left behind “a mess” that will take time and effort to fix.
On that score, voters need some convincing. A wave of recent polls has shown that Americans are distressed by the cost of living and unhappy with Trump’s efforts to steer the country toward prosperity.
An NPR/PBS News/Marist poll conducted this month found that 61% of respondents said the economy was not working well for them personally, compared with just 39% who said it was. Overall, 70% said the cost of living where they live is not very affordable or not affordable at all.
The economy looms as the central issue in the 2026 midterm elections. As the new year approaches, Trump is eager to stave off the congressional losses that typically bedevil presidents. Some Republicans are urging him to focus more on pocketbook issues, as opposed to foreign affairs and cultural issues that often pique Trump’s interest.
In an interview Wednesday before the speech, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told NBC News, « We need to focus on, you know, fixing people’s problems, and the more we can focus on that, the better.”
After Trump’s remarks, Graham argued in a Fox News interview that the economy was trending in the right direction and that Congress could play a role, as well.
« Be patient; help is on the way, » he said.
Graham went on to say Trump’s address « proved to the American people that when it comes to their prosperity and security by this time next year, you will see a major difference. »
The speech amounted to Trump’s boldest attempt to date to show that he’s on track to making life more affordable for Americans who are struggling to pay their bills.
But along with the denunciations of Biden came a cautionary note that a full economic resurgence will take time. He mentioned, for example, that he’s about to appoint a new chair of the Federal Reserve, and when that happens, he promised, mortgage rates will drop. He also said that in 2026 he’ll unveil new plans for “housing reform.”
Having inherited a country he called on the “brink of ruin,” Trump said he is “bringing those high prices down and bringing them down very fast.”
« Our country is back, » he said from the White House Diplomatic Reception Room. « Stronger than ever before. We’re poised for an economic boom the likes of which the nation has never seen. »
« It’s not done yet, but boy are we making progress, » he added. « Nobody can believe what’s going on. »
Trump’s upbeat account of a nation making dramatic economic strides omitted a few inconvenient warning signs. The unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in November, the highest it has been in the last five years.
Trump touted the falling price of eggs and Thanksgiving dinners as signs that the economy is rebounding. Yet overall, the government’s Consumer Price Index shows that prices have risen every month since April, and in September (the most available data because the government shutdown) the rate of inflation hit 3%.
Presidents typically reserve prime-time televised addresses for epochal events, as when Barack Obama walked to the East Room of the White House in 2011 to announce that U.S. forces had killed Osama bin Laden.
Trump is among the most ubiquitous of presidents, continually sharing his thoughts through social media, interviews and public appearances. Rare is the day when the public doesn’t hear from their president in some fashion. Indeed, during a lull in September when he was out of public view for four days, the internet crackled with unfounded rumors that he was seriously ill, or worse.
But a prime-time speech is an opportunity for a president to reach an audience that might not be attuned to the political back-and-forth that consumes Washington.
When he was done speaking, Trump looked at the press corps watching from inside the room. He said his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, had told him he needed to give a national address.
« You think that’s easy? » Trump said. Then he sipped from a Diet Coke an usher had brought in beforehand.
Source link
