川普總統向全國發表演說

總統川普在白宮外交接待廳（Diplomatic Reception Room）發表罕見的黃金時段「向全國演說」，試圖以一場全國直播重新定調「經濟與民生負擔」議題，並在距離 2026 年期中選舉尚有一段時間之際，提前為來年施政鋪陳主旋律。 

外界普遍認為，這場演說帶有明確的政治與經濟目的：在民眾對物價、就業與生活成本仍感不安之際，白宮希望透過總統親上火線的方式「集中訊息、帶動信心」。路透報導指出，Reuters/Ipsos 民調顯示僅約 33% 受訪者認同他處理經濟的方式，整體支持度也面臨壓力；川普預計會強調自己在邊境與部分價格指標上的「勝利」，同時為後續政策拋出方向。 

在演說內容上，川普延續其慣用敘事：將民生困境歸咎於前任政府，並以「我正在修復」作為核心句。ABC News 轉述他在演說中表示「十一個月前我繼承了一團亂，我正在修復」，藉此把物價與經濟焦慮重新納入「政權交接」的責任框架。  但另一方面，媒體也提醒，關稅政策本身可能帶來價格不確定性，反而讓「生活可負擔」成為更棘手的政治考題。 

全場最具體、也最容易被記住的宣布，是川普提出「勇士紅利」（Warrior Dividend）：在聖誕節前向約 145 萬名美軍官兵發放每人 1,776 美元的獎金，稱其象徵 1776 建國年份，並宣稱款項與關稅收入相關。美聯社報導並補充，川普是在通膨回升與就業市場降溫的背景下拋出這項現金式承諾——例如通膨年增率上升至約 3%、失業率升至約 4.6%、月均新增就業放緩等——藉以向軍方致意，同時向社會傳遞「經濟仍強勁」的訊號。 

在對外與國安脈絡上，路透與半島電視台皆提到，近期美方對委內瑞拉油輪採取「封鎖／阻斷」行動引發爭議，委內瑞拉方面強烈反彈；因此演說也被視為川普將「對外強硬」與「國內安全」綁定的一環，在經濟敘事之外，進一步鞏固支持者對其強人路線的期待。

President Trump’s Address to the Nation Puts Affordability Front and Center — and Announces a $1,776 “Warrior Dividend” for Troops

On the evening of December 17, 2025, President Donald Trump delivered a rare prime-time televised address from the White House’s Diplomatic Reception Room, framing his administration’s agenda around one dominant theme: Americans’ anxiety about everyday costs — from groceries to housing — and the question of whether the economy is moving in the right direction. 

The speech came at a politically sensitive moment. Recent polling cited by Reuters shows Trump facing weak approval on the economy, with about one-third of Americans (33%) saying they approve of how he is handling it, alongside broader signs of vulnerability heading into the 2026 midterms.  Against that backdrop, the White House appeared to use the prime-time slot as a “reset” — a concentrated attempt to reclaim the economic narrative and reassure voters that relief is coming. 

In tone and structure, Trump leaned into a familiar argument: he portrayed the country as having been left with a difficult situation by his predecessor and emphasized that he is now “fixing” it. NPR noted that he opened with a line to that effect — “Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess, and I am fixing it” — setting up the rest of the speech as a progress report and a promise of faster improvement ahead. 

The headline announcement: $1,776 checks for about 1.45 million service members

The most concrete piece of news from the address was Trump’s announcement of a $1,776 Christmas bonus for roughly 1.45 million U.S. troops, which he dubbed the “warrior dividend.” According to the Associated Press, Trump argued the payments would be financed by tariff revenue, and he emphasized the symbolism of 1776 as a patriotic marker. 

The AP also framed the announcement as an effort to project confidence amid economic crosscurrents: while Trump pointed to upbeat indicators like a strong stock market and lower gas prices, the report noted that inflation has risen to around 3% annually, and labor-market conditions have softened, with unemployment up to 4.6% and average monthly job growth slowing sharply. 

Tariffs, prices, and the affordability test

Even as Trump sought to cast tariffs as a funding source and a tool of leverage, Reuters highlighted a central tension: tariff policy can also increase price uncertainty, making “affordability” a harder promise to deliver in practice.  Washington Post reporting similarly described the address as an attempt to counter criticism — including from some supporters — that the administration has not moved quickly enough on kitchen-table costs. 

Foreign-policy backdrop: Venezuela pressure campaign

The address also unfolded amid escalating tensions with Venezuela. Reuters reported that Trump may reference — and has recently pursued — a tougher posture, including a blockade targeting Venezuelan oil tankers, which Caracas denounced. Al Jazeera’s live coverage likewise framed the speech within the twin pressures of economic strain and Venezuela-related escalation. 

Taken together, the prime-time appearance looked designed to deliver a simple, campaign-ready message: the economy is improving, security is tightening, and the administration can produce visible, immediate actions — with the “warrior dividend” serving as the night’s most tangible proof point.