President Donald Trump used a primetime White House address Wednesday night to highlight what he described as rapid economic improvements under his second administration and to announce a one-time bonus for U.S. service members tied to the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
Speaking for roughly 20 minutes from the Diplomatic Reception Room, Trump framed his economic agenda as a reversal of what he characterized as severe damage left by the previous administration, arguing that inflation, prices, and wages were now moving decisively in a positive direction, noted Fox News.
“Here at home, we’re bringing our economy back from the brink of ruin,” Trump said. “The last administration and their allies in Congress looted our Treasury for trillions of dollars, driving up prices and everything at levels never seen before. I am bringing those high prices down and bringing them down very fast.”
The president cited price increases he said accelerated during the prior administration, including cars, gasoline, hotel stays, airfare, and groceries. He told viewers those trends had begun to reverse since his return to office. “Now, under our leadership, they are all coming down and coming down fast,” he said.
Trump pointed to specific consumer goods as evidence of progress, highlighting declines during the holiday season. “The price of a Thanksgiving turkey was down 33% compared to the Biden last year,” he said. “The price of eggs is down 82% since March, and everything else is falling rapidly. And it’s not done yet. But boy, are we making progress. Nobody can believe what’s going on.” His statement was then backed by a good economic report on Thursday morning that showed inflation came in lower than expected.
He also addressed wages, arguing that earnings had failed to keep pace with inflation under the previous administration but were now improving across key sectors of the economy. “For the first time in years, wages are rising much faster than inflation,” Trump continued, pointing to gains in manufacturing, construction, and mining.
The address came as voters continue to express anxiety about affordability and household finances. Recent polling has shown persistent skepticism about the pace of economic recovery, even as inflation metrics have moderated. Trump acknowledged those concerns but attributed them to conditions he said predated his return to office.
“Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess. And I’m fixing it,” he said.
A significant portion of the speech focused on the military, with Trump announcing a one-time payment for active-duty service members to mark the upcoming semiquincentennial of the United States in 2026. The payment, which the president referred to as a “Warrior Dividend,” is set at $1,776.
“We are sending every soldier $1,776. Think of that,” Trump said. “And the checks are already on the way.”
The administration said the bonus is intended to honor the spirit of 1776 and recognize the role of the armed forces in safeguarding the nation’s history and independence. The payment applies to active-duty personnel and is separate from regular military pay or benefits.
Throughout the address, Trump adopted a sharply partisan tone, repeatedly blaming Democrats and the Biden administration for lingering economic challenges while crediting his policies for recent improvements. The speech also reflected a broader messaging push as the White House looks ahead to the 2026 midterm elections, where economic confidence is expected to be a central issue.
Trump closed the address with an optimistic forecast, predicting sustained growth, falling prices, and renewed national strength, while reiterating his argument that the country was on a fundamentally different trajectory than it had been a year earlier.
