President Donald Trump addressed the nation Wednesday night to tout his first year in office: airing familiar grievances against the Biden administration in tough political rhetoric, touting signs of what he called an improving economy and announcing a bonus for U.S. service members that he said will be paid for by his controversial tariff policies.
“Eleven months ago I inherited a mess and I’m fixing it,” he said.
“After just one year, we have accomplished more than anyone could have imagined,” Trump said.
Trump said more than 1.4 million military service members will receive a “warrior dividend”: a check for $1,776.
“The controls are already underway,” he said.
President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation from the White House in Washington, December 17, 2025.
ABC News
The 9 p.m. remarks from the Diplomatic Room came as Trump faces low approval ratings, particularly about the economy amid a slowdown in hiring and a spike in inflation.
A Quinnipiac University survey released Wednesday found that a majority of Americans said the economy is the most pressing issue facing the country today, and only 40% of Americans approve of the way Trump has handled it.
Overall, 40% of Americans approve of the way Trump is doing his job, while 54% disapprove, according to the poll.
Earlier Wednesday, Trump teased what to expect from his speech to reporters.
“Well, I think the message tonight is that we inherited a disaster and we’ve done a great job, and we will continue to do so, and our country will be stronger than ever very soon,” Trump said as he returned from a dignified transfer at Dover Air Base for American soldiers killed in Syria.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after stepping off Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Dec. 17, 2025, upon returning from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
The president has primarily deflected blame for the state of the economy onto his predecessor, former president Joe Biden. He has called the question of affordability, without evidence, a “Democratic deception.”
However, pocketbook issues dominated this year’s elections and are expected to be the defining issue of the 2026 midterms, when Republicans try to maintain their control of Congress.
Trump’s comments also come amid a health care showdown on Capitol Hill, as millions of Americans face higher premium costs in 2026 due to the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies, and as his administration ramps up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s regime.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Wednesday’s prime-time address will address what the administration says are the “historic achievements” of Trump’s second term so far. He highlighted border security and gas prices as two topics the president is likely to discuss.
“He’s going to talk a lot about what he accomplished over the last 11 months, everything he’s done to return our country to greatness and everything he still plans to do to continue to deliver for the American people over the next three years,” Leavitt said.
