In a live televised address from the White House, President Donald Trump announced a significant pre-Christmas financial gesture for the United States military. During his first year-end speech of his second term on Wednesday, 17th December 2025, Trump declared that all 1.45 million active duty troops will receive a special cheque for $1,776.
A Speech of Economic Boasts and Political Previews
The president used the prime-time platform to deliver a robust defence of his economic record, despite recent data showing rising unemployment. Shouting into the microphone, he sought to convince the American public that the nation's finances are on an upswing, a claim that contrasts with widespread reports of household financial strain.
He framed the direct payment to service members as a 'special warrior dividend', a move clearly designed to resonate with his core supporters. A substantial portion of the speech was dedicated to lamenting the 'mess' he alleged was inherited from the Biden administration and championing his tariff policies as the engine of a turnaround.
Political Turmoil and Polling Woes
The address came at a fractious moment for the Republican Party, which faces a challenging midterm election environment in 2026. The GOP remains internally divided on critical issues such as healthcare and abortion policy. Trump indicated his intention to actively campaign next year to help his party retain its Congressional majority, with this speech serving as a preview of his stump message.
However, the political landscape is difficult. The remarks followed closely on the heels of a damaging Vanity Fair article that exposed critical private comments from White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles about the president and his team. Furthermore, a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll revealed that only 36 percent of Americans approve of Trump's job performance, the lowest rating of his presidency across both terms.
Promises, Shortfalls, and Foreign Policy Claims
While listing border security, immigration crackdowns, tackling violent crime, and the economy as the cornerstones of his last eleven months, the administration has fallen short on several promised milestones. Notably, Trump's vow to deport one million immigrants by the end of 2025 has seen a significant shortfall; the Department of Homeland Security has formally removed just over 600,000 since January, missing the target by approximately 40%.
In foreign policy, a promised pre-inauguration end to the Russia-Ukraine war did not materialise. The president did, however, highlight securing a Gaza ceasefire and repeatedly claims to have ended more than a dozen conflicts since returning to office, though a full list was not provided.
The speech concluded a day that began sombrely for the commander-in-chief. Trump travelled to Delaware to participate in the dignified transfer of three service members—two Iowa National Guard soldiers and an Army interpreter from Michigan—who were slain in an ambush in Syria, meeting with their families beforehand.
