“Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess, and I’m fixing it,” proclaimed Mr. Trump during a recent speech, delivered with characteristic fervor and urgency. The address mirrored Mr. Trump’s usual style when engaging with reporters in the Oval Office, filled with self-congratulatory remarks about his administration’s achievements while criticizing his predecessor, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. However, this time, the audience was broader, as major news networks interrupted their regular programming to broadcast his comments live.
In his speech, Mr. Trump confidently asserted, “We’re the hottest country anywhere in the world, and that’s said by every single leader that I’ve spoken to over the last five months.” This bold claim aimed to showcase America’s economic resurgence under his leadership, despite ongoing economic challenges. In a surprising announcement, he introduced what he called a “Warrior Dividend,” promising that checks of $1,776 would be issued to approximately 1.4 million military members. According to Mr. Trump, these funds would stem from the tariffs he has imposed on imported goods, stating, “The checks are already on the way.”
Mr. Trump expressed optimism about the future, vowing that the economy would improve significantly over the next year. He predicted that his policies would lead to a dramatic drop in prices for essentials, including electricity. Furthermore, the president declared that mortgage payments would decrease even more early in the New Year and hinted at unveiling “some of the most aggressive housing reform plans in American history” in the coming months.
This speech marked Mr. Trump’s latest effort to address the affordability crisis, which has been a significant concern for many Americans. Initially dismissing the issue as a “fake narrative” and a “con job,” he later took his rebuttal on the road, delivering a lengthy 90-minute address in rural Pennsylvania. During that speech, he claimed, “our prices are coming down tremendously,” a statement that contradicts government data showing inflation rates around 3 percent in September, similar to figures from the end of the Biden administration.
While Mr. Trump’s speech was more focused than previous remarks, its impact on voter sentiment remains uncertain. A recent analysis by the New York Times indicated a decline in approval ratings for Mr. Trump’s economic management from July to November. Senator Chuck Schumer, the minority leader from New York, criticized the speech, asserting, “President Trump’s speech just showed he lives in a bubble completely disconnected from the reality everyday Americans are seeing and feeling.” He added that many people are feeling increasingly financially squeezed, while Mr. Trump appeared to take a “victory lap.”
Mr. Trump delivered his speech from the Diplomatic Room, surrounded by festive Christmas trees, while his top aides observed from within. After concluding his remarks, he turned to the press and asked, “You think that’s easy?” before taking a sip of Diet Coke, according to a pool reporter present. He then mentioned that his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, had advised him on the speech, inquiring about his performance. Ms. Wiles replied, “I told you 20 minutes and you were 20 minutes on the dot.”