On December 17, 2025, President Donald Trump is set to deliver a rare prime-time address from the White House—a moment that arrives amid mounting public anxiety over the economy and some of the lowest approval ratings of his presidency. As Americans brace for the holiday season, polls show the nation’s mood has soured, with many citizens feeling the pinch of higher prices and uncertain about the direction of the country’s finances.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released just a day before the address, only 33% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, a figure that underscores the challenge facing the president as he seeks to reset the national conversation. The same survey found his overall approval rating at 39%, close to the lowest point of the year and down from 41% earlier this month. These numbers are echoed by the NPR PBS News Marist Poll, which highlights that 45% of Americans now cite prices as their top economic concern, far surpassing worries over housing costs, which trail at 18%.
Trump has not been shy about addressing—or dismissing—these concerns. In recent weeks, he’s mocked Democrats for what he calls their "obsession" with affordability, labeling the issue a "Democratic hoax." Yet, despite his rhetoric, the president has taken steps to address the very issues he derides. Last week in Pennsylvania, he promised supporters that his policies would deliver bigger tax returns come April and touted a new proposal for "Trump accounts"—special savings vehicles for children born between 2025 and 2028. Still, his upbeat assessment of the economy, which he described as "A+++++" in a recent Politico interview, has drawn criticism, even from within his own party. Some conservatives have called the comment tone-deaf, especially as families across the country face rising costs at the grocery store and gas pump.
The president’s address, scheduled for 9 p.m. EST in the White House’s Diplomatic Reception Room (a departure from the traditional Oval Office setting), is expected to cover a broad array of topics. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that Trump will "be addressing the country about all of his historic accomplishments over the past year and maybe teasing some policy that will be coming in the new year, as we head into this Christmas season." She specifically mentioned border security and lower gas prices as likely points of emphasis.
Yet, the economic backdrop is unmistakable. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently told reporters that inflation growth is "entirely in sectors where there are tariffs," pointing directly to the president’s trade policies as a driver of higher prices. Trump’s tariffs, imposed unilaterally on a range of foreign goods, have been a signature feature of his administration’s approach to economic competition. But as Powell’s comments and recent polling suggest, the impact has been felt most acutely in the wallets of everyday Americans.
Trump’s approach to the economic debate has been anything but conventional. While he has continued to tout the strength of the U.S. economy, he’s also taken sharp aim at political adversaries—punishing those who oppose him, challenging universities, law firms, and the media, and even leveling tariffs at U.S. allies. His style, brash and unapologetic, has energized his "Make America Great Again" base but alienated many moderates and independents. According to Reuters, Trump himself lamented, "We inherited a mess and we've done a great job and we continue to. And our country's going to be stronger than ever before," during remarks earlier in the day at Joint Base Andrews.
Wednesday’s speech may also revisit themes from his recent rally in Pennsylvania, where he veered beyond economics to touch on familiar rally topics—transgender rights, Somali migrants in Minnesota, and wind turbines. These issues, while divisive, are staples of Trump’s political playbook and serve to rally his core supporters even as they spark criticism from the left and center.
Foreign policy could also play a role in the evening’s address. Just a day prior, Trump ordered a "blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, a move that drew swift condemnation from Caracas, with officials there calling it a "grotesque threat." The president has repeatedly hinted that the U.S. could take more direct action on Venezuelan soil as part of efforts to combat illegal drug smuggling, further escalating tensions in the region. Trump has often highlighted his administration’s efforts to end conflicts abroad, a talking point he may return to as he seeks to project strength on the world stage.
Despite the president’s confidence, the political stakes are high. With midterm elections looming in November 2026, Trump’s Republicans are fighting to retain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Democrats, for their part, are hammering affordability issues and healthcare policy differences, hoping to capitalize on public discontent and wrest power away. As NPR notes, the Democratic focus on pocketbook issues was widely credited for their sweep of key off-year elections in November, a trend that could spell trouble for the GOP if economic concerns persist.
Trump’s team, however, remains determined to seize the narrative. In addition to Wednesday’s address, the president is scheduled to speak again in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on December 19, offering yet another chance to connect with voters and tout his administration’s record. White House officials have hinted that new policy proposals could be teased during these appearances, as Trump looks to build momentum heading into the new year.
For many Americans, the question remains: will the president’s words resonate at a time when so many feel left behind by rising costs and economic uncertainty? Or will his focus on perceived victories and combative rhetoric further widen the divide between his supporters and critics?
One thing is clear—Wednesday night’s address is more than just another speech. It’s a high-stakes attempt to reclaim the national narrative, reassure a skeptical public, and set the stage for the political battles to come. As the nation tunes in, all eyes will be on the president, waiting to see whether he can turn the tide or if the economic headwinds will prove too strong to overcome.
