WASHINGTON — In a prime-time address on December 17, 2025, President Donald Trump discussed the economic challenges facing Americans as year-end holidays approach. He attributed rising prices and healthcare costs to his predecessor, claiming to have addressed these issues during his administration. Trump stated, "I inherited a mess" and asserted that the U.S. is now the "envy of the entire globe" thanks to policies such as immigration crackdowns, tariffs, and tax breaks. During his speech, Trump announced that members of the U.S. military would receive $1,776 checks by Christmas, referencing the year of America's founding. He further attributed projected increases in healthcare costs to Democrats, particularly with the expiration of tax credits for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans. Despite his claims, recent polls indicate a decline in his approval ratings, with many Americans still blaming the current administration for economic difficulties. Trump highlighted inflation, stating it was the highest in 48 years when he took office, and criticized the previous administration for the rising cost of living. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the consumer price index showed a 2.7% increase in the overall cost of goods over the past year. Trump has recently dismissed the term "affordability" as a "hoax" while emphasizing his administration's focus on lowering costs for housing, electricity, and healthcare. He announced a $1,776 "warrior dividend" for U.S. servicemembers, which could total up to $2.6 billion, and suggested that Americans could find significant price reductions on prescription drugs through a new government website starting in January. He also proposed funding for individual health savings accounts, aiming to give people more control over their healthcare spending. Trump asserted that grocery and fuel prices were decreasing, although government data contradict these claims, showing that food prices have risen by 3.2% over the past year. The president attributed some economic success to his administration's international trade policies, particularly tariffs that he characterized as beneficial for the U.S. Finally, the U.S. ended the fiscal year 2025 with a deficit of nearly $1.8 trillion. Trump noted that tariffs on foreign goods have significantly increased revenue for the U.S. government, leading to nearly $195 billion collected in customs duties, a substantial rise from the previous fiscal year.