Trump blames Biden for economic woes under his administration
President Donald Trump delivered a televised 18-minute address on Wednesday, during which he talked about the economy. A new Marist poll released Wednesday showed his economic approval rating at only 36%. He opened his speech by airing grievances against Democrats and his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, blaming them for inflation and rising health care costs. The president went on to pledge fresh relief for Americans in 2026, pointing to new tax measures passed under the “one big beautiful bill he signed into law. Throughout the address, Trump defended his administration’s actions ranging from imposing tariffs that have raised prices to his use of military units in U.S. cities.
Trump uses falsehoods in televised address
President Trump used various falsehoods in his address to the nation Wednesday night. Trump falsely claimed “inflation is stopped.” Inflation hasn’t stopped. Trump repeated his false claim that when he took office inflation was the worst in 48 years, which it was not. Trump said the price of eggs and everything else is falling rapidly, which is not true. He claimed that he is cutting prescription costs by as much as 600%, which is not only not true but mathematically impossible. He claimed to have attracted $18 trillion in investment to the U.S. The official White House figure is less than half that and includes promises of investments that may never materialize. Trump repeated his false claim that the big domestic policy bill he signed earlier this year ends taxes on Social Security income. He also said other things that are not true.
Christmas checks for military
More than 1.4 million members of the U.S. military will receive checks for $1,776 before Christmas, President Trump announced Wednesday. Trump called the payment the “Warrior Dividend.” Trump did not specify how the initiative would be funded, but credited his tariffs for bringing in new government revenue. He did not point out that tariffs are paid by the buyers of goods, not by the country that exports the goods. “We made a lot more money than anybody thought because of tariffs … Nobody deserves it more than our military, and I say congratulations to everybody,” Trump said. A senior administration official told CNN that the Pentagon has been directed to distribute $2.6 billion as a “one-time basic allowance for housing supplement” to all eligible service members in pay grades O-6 and below.
Police look for possible Brown University shooting suspect
As the manhunt for the Brown University gunman enters another day without a suspect in custody, authorities stress that community tips are crucial to resolving the case. Police on Wednesday asked for the public’s help identifying a person shown in a photo who crossed paths with the person of interest. Authorities also released a map showing the streets where the person of interest was present in the hours before Saturday’s attack. Meanwhile, limited security camera footage around the campus building where the attack occurred has spurred questions, including from the White House. The shooting left two students dead and nine injured at the Ivy League school.
House Republicans ignore expiring Obamacare subsidies
House Republicans have approved a narrow package aimed at lowering health care costs for some Americans in the coming years — marking a win for party leadership, even as some of their members say it falls short of addressing rising prices in 2026. The House voted 216-211 to send the measure to the Senate, which is unlikely to vote on it before lawmakers leave for the holiday recess. However, House Republicans are largely ignoring the issue of the expiring enhanced Obamacare subsidies that help people afford premium costs. Those tax credits are set to expire at the end of the month, likely causing premiums to spike for tens of millions of Americans next year.
Four killed in new U.S. boat strike
At least four people were killed in the latest U.S. strike on an alleged drug-trafficking boat in international waters. U.S. Southern Command said the vessel, operated by a “designated terrorist organization,” was targeted on Wednesday in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It marks the second U.S. strike this week on an alleged drug boat in the region. At least 99 people have been killed since the U.S. launched Operation Southern Spear in September. The strikes are a part of increased U.S. military action in South America, focused on Venezuela, a nation that President Trump has accused of stealing U.S. “oil, land, and other assets.”
Some material ™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
