Trump touts border, economic gains in address to nation, announces ‘warrior dividend’ for service members

President Donald Trump on Dec. 17 delivered a sweeping address to the nation, claiming major victories on border security, inflation, wages, and global stability nearly one year into his second term and announcing a pre-Christmas dividend for service members. 

“I inherited a mess,” Trump said at the outset of the speech, blaming Democrats for “the worst inflation in 48 years,” which he said made life “unaffordable for millions and millions of Americans.”

Border security and enforcement

Trump accused the Biden administration of opening the southern border and allowing the U.S. to be “invaded by an army of 25 million people, many of whom came from prisons and jails, mental institutions, and asylums.” 

He said his administration resolved the border crisis without new legislation, noting that no illegal immigrants have been admitted for the past 7 months. 

“As it turned out, we didn't need legislation. We just needed a new president,” Trump said. “We inherited the worst border anywhere in the world, and we quickly turned it into the strongest border in the history of our country.”

Trump repeatedly credited tariffs, executive actions, and what he described as aggressive enforcement across multiple agencies as the primary drivers of his administration’s early successes. He said those policies have disrupted drug trafficking networks, citing a 94% drop in maritime drug smuggling, and contributed to lower crime rates in American cities.

Culture and education

On cultural issues, Trump said his administration dismantled “woke” policies in schools, pointing to a February executive order that bans men from participating in women’s sports in schools, universities, and athletic associations. He also referenced a March order that returned greater control over education policy to the states by curbing the federal role. 

“We have broken the grip of sinister woke radicals in our schools,” he said, “and control over those schools is back now in the hands of our great and loving states, where education belongs.”

Economy and wages

Turning to the economy, Trump said prices that surged under Biden are now falling. He cited declines in major consumer costs, saying that under the previous administration, gas prices increased around 30%, hotel rates rose about 37%, and airfares climbed roughly 31%. He also pointed to grocery costs, which he says have significantly declined under his administration.

During the speech, the White House X account shared graphics showing the price declines.

“Everything else is falling rapidly,” Trump added. “And it’s not done yet.”

He also claimed wage growth has rebounded sharply: “For the first time in years, wages are rising much faster than inflation.” 

Trump also said wages are now rising faster than inflation, citing increases of $1,300 for factory workers, $1,800 for construction workers, and $3,300 for miners. He added that “there are more people working today than at any time in American history.”

Trump emphasized that all net job growth since he took office has been in the private sector, saying, “One hundred percent of all jobs created since I took office have been in the private sector.”

Taxes and tariffs

A major focus of the speech was tariffs, which Trump again described as “my favorite word.” He said tariffs have driven companies to relocate manufacturing to the U.S., helping secure trillions of dollars in domestic investment. 

“If they build in America, there are no tariffs,” he said. “That’s why they’re coming home to the USA in record numbers.”

Trump pointed to his “Big Beautiful Bill,” signed into law July 4, which he described as “the largest tax cuts in American history.” He said the package eliminates taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits, saving many families between $11,000 and $20,000 a year and setting up “the largest tax refund season of all time” next spring.

Military and national security

In a surprise announcement, Trump said roughly 1.45 million service members will receive a one-time $1,776 “warrior dividend” before Christmas, funded through tariff revenue.

The White House official Rapid Response X account said eligible recipients include active-duty and reserve service members in grades O-6 and below who were on qualifying orders as of Nov. 30 

Trump also said military enlistment has surged after reaching historic lows last year.

In foreign policy remarks, Trump said he has “settled eight wars in 10 months,” “destroyed the Iran nuclear threat,” and “ended the war in Gaza,” saying he brought “peace to the Middle East.” 

Health care, energy, and housing

On health care, Trump said his administration used a “most favored nation” policy to force steep prescription drug price reductions by threatening tariffs on foreign countries. He said some drugs would see price drops of several hundred percent, with initial reductions available in January through a new government website, TrumpRx.gov.

Energy policy featured heavily in the address. Trump said he declared a national energy emergency on his first day back in office and blamed Democratic climate policies for electricity cost increases of “30 to 100%” under Biden. He said gasoline prices have fallen below $2.50 per gallon in much of the country, with some areas seeing prices as low as $1.99.

Trump promised a major expansion of power generation, saying the U.S. will open 1,600 new electrical generating plants within the next year.

On housing, Trump said inflation and lax border enforcement under Democrats drove mortgage costs up by $15,000 annually for typical homebuyers. He said his administration has already reduced that burden by $3,000 and signaled further declines, including after appointing a new Federal Reserve chair who supports lower interest rates.

Closing remarks

Closing the address, Trump said the United States is respected again and positioned for economic growth as it prepares to host the World Cup, the Olympics, and the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

“America is respected,” Trump said, “and our country is back stronger than ever before.”

“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,” he concluded. “We are respected again like we have never been respected before. To each and every one of you, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. God bless you all.”