President Donald Trump addressed the nation on Wednesday night to tout his first year in office — airing familiar grievances against the Biden administration in harsh political rhetoric, touting signs of what he called an improving economy and announcing a bonus to U.S. service members 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 achieved more than anyone could have imagined,” Trump said.
Trump said more than 1.4 million military service members will receive a “warrior dividend” — a $1,776 check.
“The checks are already on the way,” he said.
President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation from the White House in Washington, Dec. 17, 2025.
ABC News
The 9 p.m. remarks from the Diplomatic Room came as Trump faces low approval ratings, particularly on the economy amid a slowdown in hiring and an uptick in inflation.
A Quinnipiac University poll published Wednesday found most Americans said the economy is the most urgent issue facing the country today, and just 40% of Americans approve of how Trump has handled it.
Overall, 40% of Americans approve of the way Trump is handling his job while 54% disapprove, according to the poll.
Earlier Wednesday, Trump teased what to expect from his address to reporters.
“Well, I think the message this evening is we inherited a mess and we’ve done a great job, and we continue to, and our country is going to be stronger than ever before very soon,” Trump said as traveled back from a dignified transfer at Dover AFB for U.S. soldiers killed in Syria.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after stepping off Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, December 17, 2025 upon return 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’s called the issue of affordability, without evidence, a “Democratic hoax.”
Pocketbook issues, though, dominated this year’s elections and are expected to be the defining issue of the 2026 midterm elections when Republicans try to maintain their control of Congress.
Trump’s remarks also come amid a health care showdown on Capitol Hill as millions of Americans are set to face higher premium costs in 2026 due to expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, and as his administration ratchets up pressure on the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Wednesday’s prime-time speech will touch on what the administration says are the “historic accomplishments” of Trump’s second term so far. She singled out border security and gas prices as two issues the president is likely to discuss.
“He’s going to talk a lot about the accomplishments over the past 11 months, all that he’s done to bring our country back to greatness and all he continues to plan to do to continue delivering for the American people over the next three years,” Leavitt said.
