In a primetime address that echoed more of Ebenezer Scrooge than a festive leader, former President Donald Trump used the White House's diplomatic room to unleash a 20-minute tirade against his political foes and familiar targets. The speech, delivered on Wednesday amidst Christmas decorations, was conspicuously devoid of seasonal cheer, instead brimming with attacks on President Joe Biden, immigration policies, and past trade deals.
A Speech of Grievance, Not Goodwill
Standing before a fireplace adorned with garlands, Trump, wearing a blue suit, white shirt, and red tie, embarked on a shouty, largely unprompted monologue. He opened with a familiar but disputed claim, stating, "Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess, and I'm fixing it." He incorrectly asserted inflation was at a 48-year high when he took office, despite it having cooled to around 3%.
The core of his address was a litany of blame directed at Biden, whom he labelled "the worst President in American history," immigrants, and what he called a corrupt system. In rhetoric mirroring his campaign rallies, he painted a lurid picture of a nation under threat, accusing Biden of promoting "transgender for everybody" and opening borders to criminals. He also claimed credit for breaking the grip of "sinister woke radicals" in education.
Economic Boasts Amidst Public Discontent
Facing a cost of living crisis that continues to burden Americans, Trump's speech attempted to reframe the economic narrative. After previously dismissing "affordability" concerns as a Democratic hoax, he conceded prices remain high but insisted the nation was "poised" for a boom. "I am bringing those high prices down and bringing them down very fast," he declared, citing gasoline prices. However, a graphic displayed by Fox News during his speech showed only a slight decline in the national average.
In a notable announcement, Trump said he would send a "warrior dividend" of $1,776 to 1.45 million US service members, funded by tariff revenue. He omitted that those same tariffs have contributed to higher consumer costs. The address also included his customary boasts about settling wars and bringing peace to the Middle East, alongside remarks demonising Somali Americans and echoing far-right European rhetoric on "reverse migration."
The Ghosts Haunting the White House
Analysts suggest the aggressive tone betrayed a figure feeling political pressure rather than projecting confidence. The speech came as a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed just 33% of US adults approve of his handling of the economy, and with dissent simmering within Republican ranks. Perhaps most ominously, the looming Friday release of court documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case cast a long shadow over the proceedings, referred to in one critique as "the ghost of Christmas past."
The event also highlighted Trump's enduring need for a political foil. With Biden out of office for 11 months, Trump's unveiled a 'Presidential Walk of Fame' with plaques attacking Barack Obama and Biden, signalling a struggle to find a new primary target. When his remarks concluded, a pool report noted Trump turned to the press, took a swig of Diet Coke—three of which had been brought in just before he started—and asked, "You think that's easy?" He then sought validation from his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, who praised his timing.
Ultimately, the "Bah! Humbug!" address offered little comfort or joy. It depicted a president in a defensive posture, railing against enemies real and perceived, as significant political and legal challenges gather on the horizon.
