WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump defended his record in an address to the nation from the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday, touting his administration’s actions on the economy and immigration.
But the hastily delivered 20-minute speech, which sounded like his standard bluster on his social media platform, Truth Social, left many on both sides of the aisle scratching their heads.
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“At least [Trump] We did not declare that we were going to war on Venezuela, not knowing what the purpose of the speech was,” Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) wrote later. post Online.
“What did we just watch? I’m shocked,” added Conservative radio host Eric Erickson.
In his address, Trump said he had inherited a “mess” from the previous Democratic administration, assuring the audience that he was “fixing” the country’s ills. He promised record-low crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border, passing new tax cuts, and doing more to address the rising cost of living.
“I’m bringing those high prices down, and I’m bringing them down very quickly,” he said, citing gasoline and egg prices, among other groceries.
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“In the last 11 months, we’ve brought about more positive change in Washington than any administration in American history. It’s never happened before,” he added, reading from a teleprompter. “We’ve achieved more than anyone thought possible.”
Trump has struggled to convince voters not to worry about the economy and the cost of living. In a new PBS News/NPR/Marist poll released Wednesday, Trump’s Worst economic ratingOnly 36% of Americans say he is doing a good job. Several Republican lawmakers have also urged the White House to focus on addressing affordability concerns.
In his address, Trump also announced that every U.S. service member would receive a “warrior dividend” check in the amount of $1,776 paid for by tariff revenue, claiming that “the checks are already on their way.” It is unclear how this would happen without the involvement of Congress, which holds the power of the purse. Congress on Wednesday approved a bipartisan defense policy bill that included a 3.8% pay raise for the military.
Trump’s Oval Office address on the economy comes as health insurance premiums rise for millions of Americans next month. Democrats have sought to extend expiring tax credits for people enrolled in the Affordable Care Act, but Republicans blocked their efforts on Capitol Hill this month. The House of Representatives is expected to leave town without voting on the matter this week, but will have to do so in January after the subsidies expire.
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But Trump ignored expiring Obamacare subsidies in his speech, insisting that Democrats are to blame for the upcoming premium hikes. He instead touted the website on the Prescription Drug Reduction Initiative, which was originally passed by Democrats led by President Joe Biden.
And he promised an unprecedented economic boom next year with the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon.
“After 11 months, our border is secure, inflation has stopped, wages are up, prices are down,” Trump said. “Our nation is strong. Our country is back, stronger than ever. We are poised for an economic boom like the world has never seen.”
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