Trump promises economic boom, touts immigration policies during prime-time address
FULL: Pres. Trump delivers address to the nation
We have all the latest coverage tonight as President Donald Trump gave an address from the White House on Wednesday that praised his administration's accomplishments over the past 11 months. President Trump claimed inflation was down, employment was up, and the prices of everyday items were decreasing. During the primetime address, Trump said his sweeping tariff policies have helped bring prices down and revitalized the economy.
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump gave a 20-minute address from the White House on Wednesday and praised his administration's accomplishments over the past 11 months.
Trump blamed Democrats for inflation, he blamed former President Joe Biden on immigration policies and promised an economic boom for the American people.
Take a look back at what the president said during his prime-time address on Wednesday:
Trump claims gas prices have decreased
9:18 p.m. ET: Energy prices, including for gasoline, have dropped, and they will continue to drop more, Trump promises. But they aren’t at the levels he claims.
Trump claimed a national average gas price of $2.50 per gallon. The AAA average nationally is $2.90. Trump also said household energy costs have dropped by $3,000.
Trump promised that "within the next 12 months" the U.S. will have opened 1,600 new electrical generating plants — reversing what he again called "the Democrat inflation disaster."
Trump blames housing costs, lack of jobs on immigrants
9:17 p.m. ET: The president continued his speech by blaming undocumented immigrants with soaring housing costs and stealing American jobs.
"While your rent and housing costs skyrocketed over 60% of growth in the rental market came from foreign migrants at the same time, illegal aliens stole American jobs and flooded emergency rooms, getting free health care and education paid for by you, the American taxpayer. They also increased the cost of law enforcement by numbers so high that they are not even to be mentioned," Trump said.
Warrior Dividend
9:12 p.m. ET: Trump announced checks will be sent to over 1.4 million military service members called the Warrior Dividend before Christmas in honor of the nation's founding.
"We are sending every soldier $1,776," Trump said.
FILE - US President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on Dec. 17, 2025. (Photo by Doug MILLS / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Trump's favorite word is "tariffs"
9:10 p.m. ET: Trump claims his sweeping tariff policies have helped bring prices down and revitalized the economy.
"We're the hottest country anywhere in the world," Trump said.
Trump claims prices are falling "rapidly"
9:08 p.m. ET: The president continued his speech by touting his administration's work to bring down prices "rapidly."
"Now, under our leadership, they are all coming down and coming down fast. Democrat politicians also sent the cost of groceries soaring, but we are solving that too," Trump said.
Trump blames previous administration to start off address
9:03 p.m. ET: Trump started his address by admonishing the previous administration.
He reiterated once again his "landslide" presidential election win and blamed undocumented immigrants for indoctrinating "children with hate for America."
Trump to address the nation Wednesday
8:58 p.m. ET: The president is set to address the nation beginning at 9 p.m. ET from the White House on Wednesday.
He's expected to speak about the work his administration has done over the last 11 months.
Where to watch Trump’s address
Big picture view:
Trump’s address was streamed live on LiveNOW from FOX and is set to begin at 9 p.m. ET.
Trump’s 2nd term nears 1-year mark
President Trump speaks to media at Joint Base Andrews
President Donald Trump spoke to members of the media at Joint Base Andrews after returning from Dover Air Force base where he attended the dignified transfer of two National Guardsmen who were killed in Syria. Trump was asked about the transfer, Venezuela, Dan Bongino, and more.
The backstory:
The Trump administration has touted its economic agenda throughout the closing months of the year.
Trump himself has highlighted his tariff agenda and pushed last month for Americans to receive payment checks funded by tariff revenues.
RELATED: Trump's management of the economy hits its lowest point, poll finds
The other side:
The most recent poll conducted by AP-NORC regarding Trump’s approval rating found that more Americans are unhappy with how the president has handled the economy.
He faced public blowback on other issues including his management of the federal government and didn’t see much of a bump in approval following the end of the longest government shutdown in history.
The president has also faced some criticism for his messaging on affordability ahead of the midterms, as well as his focus on foreign policy issues.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from a President Donald Trump address to the nation during prime time on Dec. 17, 2025, from the White House. FOX News report and an AP-NORC poll conducted between Dec. 4-8, 2025 also contributed to this report. This story was reported from San Jose.