Trump touts economy recovery and military strength in national address

In his address to the nation Wednesday night, President Donald Trump praised his administration’s work since January, labeling the United States the “hottest country in the world.”

Trump blamed his predecessor, Joe Biden, and repeated claims that his administration had inherited a “mess” while praising work done since taking office to improve the economy, stem the flow of drugs into the US and bolster the US military.

“Here at home, we are bringing our economy back from the brink of destruction,” Trump said. “The last administration and their allies in Congress looted our treasury of trillions of dollars, raising prices and everything else to levels never seen before. I’m bringing these high prices down, and I’m bringing them down very quickly.”

Trump also said Americans will begin to see the benefits of the massive tax and domestic policy bill signed into law in July. The bill contained key provisions that made permanent the individual and business tax cuts included in Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and included new tax cuts to reduce taxes on tips and overtime pay.

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“Next year you will also see the results of the largest tax cuts in American history, made possible by our great, big, beautiful bill, perhaps the most comprehensive legislation ever passed in Congress,” Trump said. he said.

Trump also praised the strength of the US military under his administration, citing strong hiring figures across the services. As a result, Trump said military service members will receive a new “Warrior Dividend” before Christmas to send $1,776 to soldiers in honor of America’s founding in 1776.

“We’re sending $1,776 to every soldier. Think about that,” Trump said. “And the checks are already on the way.”

President Donald Trump visits Michigan Air National Guard troops at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan on April 29, 2025. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

AS AMERICANS REPORT ECONOMIC STRAIGHT, TRUMP PREPARES TO ADDRESS THE NATION IN WHITE HOUSE PRIMETIME SPEECH

Trump once again stated that the USA is respected and a country “envied by the whole world” and signed his signature by wishing Americans a “Merry Christmas”.

“Our nation is strong. America is respected and our country is back stronger than ever,” Trump said. “We are ready for an economic boom the world has never seen before. We will soon host both the World Cup and the Olympics. But most importantly, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.”

The speech comes as Trump launches a new effort focusing on economic policies, amid criticism over how his administration has handled messaging on economic issues. The scrutiny has intensified following the November elections, which saw Democratic victories in several key elections, including the New York mayoral race and the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races, where Democrats focused on “affordability.”

President Donald Trump speaks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (right) during a Cabinet meeting in the White House Cabinet Room on August 26, 2025 in Washington. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Although Trump told Politico in December that he would grade his economy “A+++++,” voters do not share the same optimism. For example, according to a national poll conducted by Fox News in November, 76% of voters reported a negative view of the economy; That was an increase from the 67% who reported the same in July and the 70% who said so following former President Joe Biden’s term.

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Trump has previously made several White House speeches, including after two members of the National Guard were shot in Washington in November and after the US military launched strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities in June.

Fox News’ Emma Colton contributed to this report.