Trump presents himself as the sole defender of ‘law-abiding’ Americans from ‘violent felons’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump delivered a forceful address to the nation on Wednesday, portraying his presidency as a break from economic mismanagement and weak governance.

He spoke out against policies he said favored elites, undocumented immigrants, and foreign interests, while casting himself as a defender of law-abiding Americans.

Trump vows to fight for working Americans

President Donald Trump said the United States had been led by politicians who prioritized special interests over everyday citizens.

"The United States was ruled by politicians who fought only for insiders, illegal aliens, career criminals, corporate lobbyists, prisoners, t*rrorists, and above all, foreign nations, which took advantage of us at levels never seen before."

"They flooded your cities and towns with illegal aliens. They decimated your hard-earned savings. They indoctrinated your children with hate for America, really, I mean, they just released a level of violent felons that we had never seen to prey on innocent."

"They caused war. They caused mayhem. They caused a horrible situation all over the globe."

"But now you have a president who fights for the law-abiding hard-working people of our country, the ones who make this nation run, who make this nation work."

Trump touts lower prices and rising wages

Among the key points President Donald Trump highlighted was affordability, pointing to what he described as strong economic momentum. “$18 trillion of investment. Jobs, wage increases, growth, factories, and national security."

He contrasted the current situation with the previous administration, saying: "Under the Biden administration, car prices rose 22%, and in many states, 30% or more, gasoline rose 30% to 50%, hotel rates rose 37%, airfare rose 31%..." 

Trump claimed those trends have now reversed. "...now under our leadership, they are all coming down and coming down fast. Democrat politicians also sent the cost of groceries soaring. But we are solving that too." He cited specific examples to support his claims.

"The price of a Thanksgiving turkey was down 33% compared to the Biden last year. The price of eggs is down 82% since March, and everything else is falling rapidly."

"And it's not done yet, but boy, are we making progress!" Trump also compared wage growth under the two administrations. "Under Biden, real wages plummeted by $3,000. Under Trump, the typical factory worker has seen a wage increase of $1,300."

"For construction workers, it's $1,800. For miners, we're bringing back clean, beautiful coal, it's $3,300. And for the first time in years, wages are rising much faster than inflation!"

He concluded by emphasizing private-sector job growth.

"100% of all jobs created since I took office are in the private sector, rather than government! Which is the only way to make a country powerful and great."

Trump address draws attention amid global tensions, approval dip

The address was closely watched, as the White House had not shared what President Donald Trump would say.

Trump’s speech came amid heightened tensions with Venezuela, the introduction of a new travel ban list, and ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. 

The address also came as the president faced a dip in his approval ratings.

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, Trump’s approval rating dropped to 39 percent, down from 41 percent earlier in December and just one point above his 38 percent reading from mid-November, his lowest rating this year.