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President Donald Trump praised his administration and bashed his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, while addressing the American public from the White House Wednesday (December 17) night.
Trump claimed that he "inherited a mess...and I’m fixing it," blasting Biden's administration for "open" borders, transgender athletes in women's sports, crime, the "worst trade deals ever made" and a "sick and corrupt" federal government.
"Over the past 11 months, we have brought more positive change to Washington than any administration in American history. There’s never been anything like it," Trump said.
Trump claimed that his tariff policies were creating a stronger economy, despite an October report from Goldman Sachs claiming American consumers were taking on up to 55% of their costs.
"Much of this success has been accomplished by tariffs, my favorite word, tariffs, which for many decades have been used successfully by other countries against us, but not anymore," Trump said.
"Companies know that if they build in America, there are no tariffs, and that’s why they’re coming home to the U.S.A. in record numbers. They’re building factories and plants at levels we haven’t seen," he added. He did not elaborate with details on the figures.
Trump also announced plans to send more than 1 million military members would receive a special "Warrior dividend" of $1,776, in honor of the United States' founding in 1776, ahead of Christmas.
“A warrior dividend in honor of our nation’s founding in 1776,” Trump said. “We are sending every soldier $1,776. Think of that, and the checks are already on the way.”