Trump Highlights US Economic Improvements and Savings in Primetime Address
On December 17, 2025, former President Donald Trump delivered a primetime address from the White House focusing on economic progress and criticizing policies from the Biden administration for contributing to high prices. He cited increases during Biden's tenure including car prices rising at least 22%, gasoline up 30 to 50%, hotel rates up 37%, airfares up 31%, and mortgage costs increasing by about $15,000.
Trump asserted that under his leadership, these costs are now coming down and highlighted that wages are rising faster than inflation for the first time in years. He specified wage gains of $1,300 for the typical factory worker, $1,800 for construction workers, and $3,300 for miners, contrasting this with a drop in real wages by about $3,000 during the Biden administration.
He pointed out notable reductions in consumer prices such as Thanksgiving turkey prices being down 33% compared to Biden's last year and egg prices falling 82% since March. Other prices were also falling according to his remarks.
Additionally, Trump announced "Warrior Dividends" of $1,776 for every U.S. service member, with checks reportedly en route to honor the 250th anniversary. He framed his term as having inherited an economic "mess" 11 months prior, stating inflation was the worst in 48 years at the start of his term.
These remarks fit within a broader political strategy linking economic affordability to Democratic electoral success in the upcoming November elections.
