On Wednesday, former U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a brief year-end address in which he reaffirmed his economic agenda amid growing domestic discontent, while sharply criticizing his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden and attacking immigrants.
اضافة اعلان
Trump opened his speech saying, “Good evening, America. Eleven months ago, I inherited a disaster, and I am in the process of fixing it.”
The primetime broadcast was short, with the only concrete announcement being the distribution of $1,776 checks—symbolic of the year of U.S. independence—to 1.45 million American soldiers.
The 79-year-old Republican billionaire claimed the United States would experience “an economic boom like the world has never seen” and accused Biden of leaving him an economy “on the brink of collapse.” He also stated that prices, the main concern for many households, are “falling rapidly,” while acknowledging that efforts to combat inflation are “not yet complete.”
Trump boasted about ending eight wars—an assertion largely disputed by experts—and highlighted $18 trillion in new investments in the U.S. since his return to power. He also claimed that, under his leadership, drug prices would drop by up to “600%,” a figure widely regarded as mathematically impossible.
He reiterated his protectionist stance, calling tariffs “my favorite word,” and renewed his promise to dismantle the subsidized healthcare system known as Obamacare, a move Democrats warn would sharply increase costs for American families.
Trump blamed many of the challenges facing Americans on what he described as an “invasion” of immigrants under Biden, praising his administration’s strict deportation and immigration policies, including a so-called “reverse migration” initiative. He accused immigrants of causing a housing crisis, “stealing” jobs, and putting pressure on the healthcare system, effectively living off taxpayers.
However, his optimistic economic outlook sharply contrasts with public concerns over the cost of living. A PBS News/NPR/Marist poll released Wednesday found that 61% of Americans believe the economic situation is not favorable for them, up from 57% in May.
Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer criticized Trump’s speech, saying the former president “just showed he lives in a bubble completely disconnected from the reality Americans experience every day,” adding, “The facts are clear: prices are rising, unemployment is rising, and there is no improvement on the horizon.”
Indicators suggest that Trump’s team recognizes the issue could harm Republican chances in the 2026 midterm elections. Republicans suffered setbacks in November elections, losing the New York mayoralty and the governorships of Virginia and New Jersey, while narrowing the margin in Tennessee, previously a Republican stronghold. A Democrat also won Miami’s mayoralty for the first time in 28 years.
Trump, who held an election rally last week in Pennsylvania, is scheduled to travel to North Carolina on Friday to mobilize voters. Frustrated with polling, he wrote on his platform Truth Social: “When will it be said that I have created, without inflation, perhaps the best economy in our nation’s history? When will people understand what is happening?”
Other officials, however, urged patience. Kevin Hassett, a senior White House economic advisor, commented on November’s rising unemployment, noting that economic growth remains strong and that job creation is ongoing. He projected it would take six months for industrial employment to recover, supported by Trump’s investments.
Vice President J.D. Vance also urged Americans to remain patient, delivering Trump’s message while positioning himself for a potential 2028 presidential bid. Speaking in Pennsylvania, he said, “They know that what former President Joe Biden broke cannot be fixed in a week. We must persevere. We must continue working to create good jobs and bring money to the United States.”
— AFP
