Trump attempts domestic reset with fast-paced White House address [View all]

Source: Washington Post

President Donald Trump bashed his predecessor and praised his own policy achievements in his first year back in office, delivering an 18-minute live address to the nation on Wednesday as he seeks to reverse lagging public opinion numbers and convince Americans that he is addressing their economic concerns.

Flanked by Christmas trees and greenery in the White House’s Diplomatic Reception Room, the president read much of his speech at an unusually rapid pace, quickly jumping from one topic to the next. He weaved a mixture of criticism of former president Joe Biden, who left office in January, with praise for his policies on immigration, inflation and social issues — and a suggestion that Americans will feel the benefits of his policies come tax season.

“One year ago, our country was dead. We were absolutely dead,” Trump said. “Our country was ready to fail. Totally fail. Now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world.”

Although Trump is facing declining poll numbers on the economy as inflation remains stubborn, he praised his tariff policies — which industry leaders have widely blamed for rising retail prices — and bragged that the prices of eggs and Thanksgiving turkeys have fallen since he returned to Washington. Trump predicted that springtime will bring “the largest tax refund season of all time,” which he attributed to both tax cuts included in White House-backed legislation and tariffs imposed on a wide range of foreign imports.

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