President Donald Trump is set to deliver a rare primetime address to the nation from the Oval Office tonight, against a backdrop of escalating foreign tensions and mounting domestic economic concerns.
Address Follows Aggressive Move Against Venezuela
The White House confirmed the president will speak at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, 17 December 2025. His speech comes just a day after he ordered a "total and complete" blockade of sanctioned oil tankers from Venezuela, intensifying pressure on the government of President Nicolas Maduro.
In social media posts ahead of the address, Trump claimed Venezuela "took our oil," framing the blockade as a retaliatory measure. Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves, estimated at over 303 billion barrels, and produces roughly one million barrels per day, primarily from the Orinoco Belt region.
The US seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker last week was labelled an "act of international piracy" by Maduro's administration.
Mounting Domestic Discontent Over Economy
Trump's speech arrives as new polling indicates significant public dissatisfaction with his handling of the US economy. A NPR/PBS News/Marist survey found that 57 percent of Americans disapprove of his economic management, his lowest rating on the issue across both his terms.
While 81% of Republicans approve, disapproval is stark among other groups: 91 percent of Democrats and 68 percent of independents express dissatisfaction. A pollster noted the difficulty of reversing such trends, stating, "The longer this goes on, the harder it is to get those numbers back."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previewed the speech, saying Trump would highlight "accomplishments over the past 11 months" and outline plans "to continue delivering for the American people over the next three years." She also hinted he may tease new policy for the coming year.
Political Theatre and Pre-Speech Controversies
Hours before the address, the administration stoked controversy by updating portraits along a White House corridor. Plaques were altered to describe former President Joe Biden as "the worst President in American History" and Barack Obama as "one of the most divisive political figures." Leavitt stated some inscriptions "were written directly by the President himself."
In related news, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced his resignation, effective early next year. His brief tenure was reportedly marred by clashes with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files.
The address will also interrupt scheduled programming, including the season finale of the long-running reality show "Survivor" on CBS, which will resume after the president's remarks.
Meanwhile, in Georgia, prosecutor Fani Willis fiercely defended her office's collapsed election interference case against Trump in a heated state Senate hearing, blasting what she called a Republican-led "QAnon committee."
As Trump prepares to outline his 2026 agenda, the address sets the stage for the upcoming midterm elections, where the balance of power in Congress—and the fate of his legislative ambitions—will be decided.
