The president said his administration ‘inherited a mess’ and is fixing the economy with a series of policy decisions.
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump told the nation his administration is prioritizing the American economy and reducing the cost of living during a prime-time address from the White House on Dec. 17.
“Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess, and I’m fixing it,” Trump said, highlighting his accomplishments since taking office and previewing his agenda for the next year.
“Here at home, we’re bringing our economy back from the brink of ruin.”
He listed accomplishments, from the economy to border security and foreign policy, while looking forward to the coming year in his second prime-time speech to the country this year.
The president showed a chart demonstrating the difference between price increases under President Joe Biden’s administration and the decreases since his second term began in January.
“I am bringing those high prices down and bringing them down very fast,” he said.
Under the Biden administration, which was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, food inflation surged on average nearly 24 percent, with grocery staples climbing at similar rates—or even higher—such as eggs (238 percent), coffee (53 percent), sugar (48 percent), ground beef (40 percent), and butter (35 percent).
While food inflation has slowed sharply this year, persistently high food prices continue to impact household budgets.
Earlier this year, high egg prices captured the national spotlight, drawing criticism from Democratic lawmakers. However, egg prices—at the wholesale and consumer levels—have come down dramatically, as a mix of market dynamics and White House actions helped stabilize the situation.
The president said his administration is working to resolve issues that he suggested had arisen or worsened over the past four years.
“Before my election, the vast majority of Americans were forced to watch as corrupt politicians plundered the halls of power, exploited our taxpayers, and pillaged every system that makes civilized society function,” Trump said. “But not anymore. We’re putting America first, and we’re making America great again.”
Trump emphasized that wages are growing at a faster pace than inflation. All jobs created under his presidency have been in the private sector, “which is the only way to make a country powerful and great,” he said.
He surprised nearly 1.5 million military service members with an announcement that they will all receive a “warrior dividend” payment of $1,776 in honor of the nation’s founding in 1776, with the money arriving in their bank accounts before Christmas.
“Nobody deserves it more than our military, and I say congratulations everybody,” Trump said.
“We have the most powerful military anywhere in the world, and it’s not even close.”
The president also teased new housing reforms coming in the new year, with a goal of improving affordability.
Some relief in housing and rent prices is coming because deportations are reducing the number of people competing for properties, he said.
Stopping illegal immigration was of paramount importance when he reclaimed the Oval Office.
“Starting on day one, I took immediate action to stop the invasion of our southern border,” Trump said.
“We inherited the worst border anywhere in the world and quickly turned it into the strongest border in the history of our country.”
The president suggested that relaxed immigration policies over the past four years resulted in higher crime and increased costs for taxpayers.
“Our border was open, and because of this, we were being invaded by 25 million people—many who came from prisons and jails, mental institutions and insane asylums,” he said.
Trump said his landslide electoral victory was seen as a “mandate to take on a sick and corrupt system that really just took the wealth from people and crushed the dreams of the American people.”
“Now, you have a president who fights for the law-abiding hardworking people of this country, the ones who make this nation run, who make this nation work,” he said.
Tariffs are working as intended, he noted, bringing wealth to the country while balancing trade relations with foreign nations.
“We had the worst trade deals ever made, and our country was laughed at all over the world. But they’re not laughing anymore,” Trump said.
More than $18 trillion in domestic investments secured since January are indicators of a successful trade policy, he suggested.
“Companies know if they build in America, there are no tariffs, and that’s why they are coming home to the U.S.A. in record numbers,” Trump said.
Workers will benefit from what the president said are the largest tax cuts in American history included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which combined 12 bills into one.
Looking forward, his administration plans to continue its strategy of domestic energy and business production, he said.
“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.”
In 2026, the nation will host the World Cup while celebrating its 250th anniversary.
“There could be no more fitting tribute to this epic milestone than to complete the comeback of America, which began just one year ago,” Trump said.
“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.”
By Emel Akan and Travis Gillmore
