Trump hits Biden and old grievances, touts 'our country is back' in address
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.
"We made a lot more money than anybody thought because of tariffs," he added.
Trump has previously suggested sending a $2,000 dividend check to low- and middle-income Americans, distributed from tariff revenue, though he did not address that proposal on Wednesday.
During the nearly 20-minute address, a visibly agitated Trump bashed the Biden administration on immigration, crime and the economy -- a key concern for Americans, according to recent polls. He mentioned the word "affordability" -- which he once derided as a Democratic hoax -- to blame his predecessor for high prices.
Trump said he was working on reducing the costs of groceries, drugs and energy and was going after "the gigantic health insurance companies" to reduce health care costs.
He said he will soon announce the next chairman of the Federal Reserve, teasing that it will be "someone who believes in lower interest rates by a lot," and next year said he will announce "some of the most aggressive housing reform plans in American history."
He also touted private-sector job growth. Overall, while unemployment remains low by historical standards, the unemployment rate ticked up to its highest level in four years in the latest jobs report.
"Our nation is strong. America is respected, and our country is back stronger than ever before," Trump said. "We're poised for an economic boom the likes of which the world has never seen."
Wednesday night's 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.
Pocketbook issues have dominated this year's off-year 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 came 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.
During his speech, Trump again floated his idea, without providing specifics, that Americans could get money directly from the government to purchase health care.
