Trump announces ‘warrior dividend’ of $1,776 to every U.S. soldier in prime-time speech

The address came as Trump’s approval ratings are sagging across the board, on issues ranging from immigration to inflation, and as Republicans seek to hold on to majorities in the House and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections.

“We’re bringing our economy back from the brink of ruin,” Trump said during the address.

But the economy, once a selling point for the president, has become a vulnerability as his sweeping tariffs have caused uncertainty and led to increased costs for some consumers and businesses.

Trump recently called growing concerns about affordability a “Democratic hoax” and, in a Politico podcast this month, gave the economy a grade of “A plus plus plus plus plus.”

Meanwhile, according to CNBC’s All-America Economic Survey, 66% of Americans polled this month disapproved of Trump’s handling of inflation, which is ticking up. In April, his disapproval rate on inflation was at 60%. Trump’s economic approval rating is 36% and his overall approval rating is just 38%, according to a Marist poll released Wednesday.

Democrats have sought to hammer Trump on the economy.

A group of Senate Democrats on Wednesday held a news conference on affordability.

“Costs are skyrocketing, and Democrats in 2026, you’ll be hearing from us about costs over and over and over again,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. “On the contrary, Donald Trump tonight is going to try to talk about his accomplishments, but it’s going to be a very short speech.”

Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/17/watch-trump-white-house-address.html