President Trump Addresses Nation Amidst Economic Concerns and Low Ratings

President Trump’s Primetime Address Reiterates Economic Messages

Updated December 17, 2025 at 9:34 PM EST

In a primetime address to the nation on Wednesday, President Trump aimed to provide reassurance to the American public. “Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess, and I am fixing it,” he declared at the beginning of his speech.

During the approximately 20-minute address, delivered from the Diplomatic Reception Room, Trump reiterated themes his administration has consistently promoted: attributing the country’s ongoing economic challenges to former President Joe Biden while claiming success in his own second term.

Trump’s tone was characteristically emphatic as he described the impact of his leadership. “Over the past 11 months, we have brought more positive change to Washington than any administration in American history,” he asserted.

The address, reminiscent of Trump’s rally speeches but without the crowd, deviated from the typically calm demeanor of previous presidents’ primetime speeches. His delivery was notably loud, occasionally resembling a shout.

This speech came amidst a backdrop of declining approval ratings for Trump, as Americans express growing concern about the economy.

Despite recently criticizing Democrats’ emphasis on affordability, their focus on financial issues is believed to have contributed to their success in November’s key off-year elections. The president has been actively addressing economic concerns, recently promising bigger tax returns and introducing “Trump accounts” for children born from 2025 to 2028 during a Pennsylvania visit.

However, his recent description of the economy as “A+++++” in a Politico interview was criticized by some conservatives as being out of touch.

The timing of the address coincides with a new low in approval for Trump’s economic management, as revealed by the latest NPR PBS News Marist Poll. In this survey, 45% of respondents identified prices as their primary economic concern, followed by housing costs at 18%.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently reported that tariffs imposed by Trump are contributing to rising prices, with inflation growth centered on goods, particularly in tariff-affected sectors.

President Trump is scheduled to address voters again on Friday in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.