Trump seeks to defend his economy in prime-time speech to the nation
Amid falling approval ratings, President Donald Trump used a prime-time speech Wednesday to ridicule his predecessor, assert that his economic plan is working and suggest that Americans need to be patient as his policies begin to take effect.
Trump, in an 18-minute speech from the White House, offered no new proposals beyond what he called a $1,776 “warrior’s dividend” that will go to nearly 1.5 million service members in honor of the nation’s founding nearly 250 years ago.
“And the checks are already underway,” he added. “No one figured it out until about 30 minutes ago; we made a lot more money than anyone thought from the tariffs.”
Trump leveraged the outgoing president’s power to gain widespread coverage on network television in a speech that largely reiterated points he had made in public appearances and interviews since returning to office in January.
He spoke at a faster pace than usual and seemed for the most part to stick to the prepared text. He revealed the price of eggs, Thanksgiving turkeys and plane tickets. to amplify his argument that costs are falling under his leadership and to persuade the nation that former President Joe Biden left behind “a mess” that will take time and effort to fix.
On this point, voters need to be convinced. A wave of recent polls have shown that Americans are distressed by the cost of living and unhappy with Trump’s efforts to lead 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 to just 39% who said that was the case. Overall, 70% said the cost of living where they live is not very affordable, or not affordable at all.
The economy is emerging as the central issue in the 2026 midterm elections. As the new year approaches, Trump is eager to avoid the congressional losses that typically plague presidents. Some Republicans are urging him to focus more on portfolio issues, rather than the 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, you know, on solving people’s problems, and the more we can focus on that, the better.” »
After Trump’s remarks, Graham asserted in a Fox News interview that the economy was heading in the right direction and that Congress could also play a role.
“Be patient, help is coming,” he said.
Graham added that Trump’s speech “proved to the American people that when it comes to their prosperity and security, by next year you will see a major difference.”
The speech marks Trump’s boldest attempt yet to show he is on the right track to making life more affordable for Americans struggling to pay their bills.
But Biden’s denunciations came with a caution that a full economic resurgence will take time. He mentioned, for example, that he was about to appoint a new chairman of the Federal Reserve and that when that happened, he promised, mortgage rates would fall. He also said that in 2026 he would unveil new “housing reform” plans.
Having inherited a country he called “on the brink of ruin,” Trump said he was “bringing those high prices down and bringing them down real quick.”
“Our country is back,” he said from the White House Diplomatic Reception Room. “Stronger than ever. We are ready for an economic boom like the country has never seen.”
“It’s not done yet, but hey, are we making progress,” he added. “No one can believe what’s happening.”
Trump’s optimistic narrative of a nation making spectacular economic progress missed some troublesome warning signs. The unemployment rate reached 4.6% in November, its highest level in five years.
Trump has touted falling egg prices and Thanksgiving dinners as signs the economy is rebounding. Yet overall, the government’s Consumer Price Index shows that prices have increased every month since April, and in September (the most available data due to the government shutdown) the inflation rate reached 3%.
Presidents typically reserve their prime-time televised speeches for milestone events, such as when Barack Obama visited 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 presidents, continually sharing his thoughts through social media, interviews and public appearances. Rare is the day when the public does not hear from its president in one way or another. Indeed, during a lull in September, when he was out of the public eye 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 may not be sensitive to the political back-and-forths that consume Washington.
When he finished speaking, Trump looked at the press watching him from inside the room. He said his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, told him he needed to give a national address.
“Do you think it’s easy?” » Trump said. Then he sipped a Diet Coke that a bailiff had brought beforehand.
