On the evening of December 17, Eastern Time, US President Trump delivered a televised address to the nation from the White House, reviewing his priorities over the past 11 months in office and outlining policy directions for next year.
In his speech, Trump said the U.S. economy is improving, but there is still a lot of work to be done. "Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess, and I'm cleaning it up," he said. "In just one year, we've accomplished more than anyone imagined."
Trump also announced that he would give bonuses to U.S. military personnel, each receiving approximately $1,776, which would come from revenue generated by tariff policies.
It is worth noting that, unlike his previous free-flowing speeches, Trump's speech that evening was a 17-minute "read-from-script" speech, and his speaking speed was significantly faster than usual.
"The bad economy is all Biden's fault"
At the start of his speech, Trump criticized his predecessor Biden's performance in office, claiming that the crime rate in the United States had reached "a record high" over the past four years, and that the United States signed "the worst trade deal in history" during Biden's term.
“Things are different now,” Trump said. “In the last 11 months, we have brought about more positive change than any other administration in American history. This achievement is unprecedented, and I believe most people would agree with that.”
In his speech, when discussing the issue of "affordability," Trump cited the prices of gasoline, eggs, airfares, and hotels as examples, stating that these prices have decreased since he took office. He also mentioned the revenue generated by trade agreements, direct investment in the United States, and tariffs.
In addition, he mentioned that the number of employed people in the United States today is higher than at any time in history, and all of the new jobs are coming from the private sector.
Looking ahead to next year, Trump announced that he will introduce major housing reform measures in 2026, but did not provide specific policy details. "In the new year, I will announce some of the most ambitious housing reform plans in American history." He also stated that he plans to reduce the cost of ordinary new home mortgages by $3,000 per year.
Regarding the much-discussed candidate for the next Federal Reserve chairman, Trump said that an announcement would be made "soon," and described the candidate as "someone who can significantly lower interest rates."
Polls are in trouble
Ahead of Trump's speech, a new Ipsos poll released on the 16th showed that 39% of Americans approve of Trump's performance in office, while 59% disapprove.
Another poll conducted by PBS News, NPR, and Marist College showed that 57% of Americans are dissatisfied with the president's handling of the economy, while only 36% of respondents approve of Trump's economic policies.
In a Gallup poll conducted November 3-25, 36% of respondents approved of Trump's job performance. The company's analysis also showed that Trump's approval rating in November of his first year in office (whether as the 45th or 47th president) was lower than that of his predecessors.
(Article source: CBN)
