What did Donald Trump say in his national address? From 'warrior dividends' to highlighting 'victories' in second term
US President Donald Trump addressed citizens in a national address from the White House on Wednesday, December 17.
The US leader took to the podium in the White House for a 20-minute speech in which he attempted to highlight so-called victories his administration has achieved since coming back into power eleven months ago.
Trump spent much of the address mentioning former president Joe Biden and comparing the work his team has done to bring prices down in the US. He also attempted to defend his record on immigration, while also claiming to have “broken the grip of sinister woke radicals in our schools”.
Speaking about the economy, he conceded that while prices remained high for millions of Americans, he is certain that the country is “poised” for an economic boom. He added: "Now, under our leadership, they [prices] are all coming down and coming down fast. Democrat politicians also sent the cost of groceries soaring, but we are solving that too."
Trump, who is now eleven months out from taking over officer from Biden, mentioned the former president seven times during his address. He laid blame at the feet of the former Democratic leader on issues such as trade deals and immigration, as well as inflation.
Trump also went on to claim his recent crackdown on immigration as victories, telling the nation: “We are now seeing reverse migration as migrants go back home, leaving more housing and more jobs for Americans.”
Trump’s address came as his approval rating with the American public declines. A Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Tuesday (December 16) showed that only 33% of Americans approved of how Trump has been handling the economy, with the cost of housing, childcare and healthcare remaining high for millions in the country.
In his speech, Trump also announced a new “warrior dividend”. This scheme will see 1.45 million US military service members receive a payment of $1,776 each, adding that “cheques are already on the way”. He explained that the dividend payments have been funded by his global trade tariffs, which have in part been a cause of prices remaining high for certain products in the US.
He finished his address saying: “When the world looks at us next year, let them see a nation that is loyal to its citizens, faithful to its workers, confident to its identity, certain to its destiny, and the envy of the entire globe. We are respected again, like we have never been respected before.”