Dec. 17 (UPI) — In a relatively brief, campaign-style speech on Wednesday night, President Donald Trump touted what he described as successes achieved by his administration during his first year back in office, while bashing his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, and the Democrats.
Before Christmas trees and a Christmas laurel decorating the mantel of the Diplomatic Reception Room fireplace, the commander-in-chief said he has returned the United States from a place of destitution to a level of unparalleled success.
“Our country is back stronger than ever before. We’re poised for an economic boom the likes of which the world has never seen,” he said.
“We will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. There could be no more fitting tribute to this epic milestone than to complete the comeback of America that began just one year ago.”
The speech comes amid economic concerns and fears of war, though Trump only touched on the former during the address. A day earlier, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported unemployment had risen to its highest level since September 2021 during the pandemic. An ongoing U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean continues, and on Tuesday, Trump ordered a naval blockade targeting Venezuelan oil tankers.
In the 18-minute speech, Trump described the country he inherited as a “mess” marked by inflation, high prices, rampant illegal immigration, unaffordability, transgender women playing women’s sports, “transgender for everybody,” censorship and crime.
“This is what the Biden administration allowed to happen to our country, and it can never be allowed to happen again,” he said.
“Our country was laughed at all over the world, but they are not laughing anymore.”
In the last 11 months, Trump said he has ushered more positive change into Washington “than any administration in American history.”
“There’s never been anything like it. And I think most would agree,” he said.
Trump also trumpeted his border policies, claiming they have resulted in “zero” undocumented migrants allowed to enter the United States. — an apparent reference to Customs and Border Protection data showing that, beginning in May, no migrants apprehended at the border were released into the U.S. interior.
“Do you remember when Joe Biden said he needed Congress to help with legislation to close the border?” he said. “As it turned out, we didn’t need legislation, we just needed a new president.”
Trump made an argument that his administration was tackling the affordability crisis in the United States, saying he was bringing down prices “very fast” despite the cost of most goods largely unchanged.
He said Americans next year will see the results of his tax cuts included in the so-called Big Beautiful Bill that Congress passed in July.
Among policies for 2026, the president repeated his plan to give money directly to Americans so they can buy their own healthcare.
Last week, competing healthcare bills failed in the Senate, with the GOP legislation seeking to end Affordable Care Act tax credits but provide $1,500 in health savings accounts for those earning less than 700% of the poverty level.
Trump on Wednesday said “the money should go to the people” and not the health insurance companies, so they can buy their own coverage.
He criticized ACA, President Barack Obama’s landmark healthcare bill to make health insurance more accessible and affordable, as a Democratic scheme to make insurance companies rich.
Democrats are arguing to extend ACA, which will cause increases in premiums, Trump claimed.
“And it’s their fault. It’s not the Republicans’ fault. It’s the Democrats’ fault,” he said. “It’s the Unaffordable Care Act and everybody knows it.”
The one announcement Trump made in the address was that the more than 1.45 million service members of the U.S. military would receive a $1,776 “Warrior Dividend” before Christmas in honor of the nation’s founding in 1776.
He said his tariffs and threats of tariffs had enticed billions in foreign dollars in investment, making the United States “a lot more money than anybody thought,” suggesting that the funding for the checks was coming from those policies.
“What a difference a year makes,” he said.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.