U.S. President Donald Trump is set to deliver a prime-time address to the nation on Wednesday, aiming to highlight his administration’s accomplishments during nearly a year back in office. The speech comes as public frustration grows over the state of the economy and the rising cost of living.
The 79-year-old Republican president is expected to focus on his “historic accomplishments,” including efforts to curb inflation and reform immigration policies. Trump attributes inflationary pressures largely to the policies of his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden. The White House has also indicated that the address will include hints about policy initiatives planned for 2026, following a year marked by a series of hardline protectionist and nationalist measures.
President Trump did not disclose specific details of the speech but expressed confidence on social media, stating, “It has been a great year for our Country, and THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the speech would emphasize the progress made over the past 11 months and outline plans to further strengthen the country over the next three years. She also mentioned to Fox News that the president might preview some policy proposals slated for the coming year.
Trump, the oldest president elected in U.S. history, has described his term as ushering in a new “golden age” for America and recently rated the economy as “A++++.” He has criticized Democrats for what he calls an “affordability hoax,” blaming them for the current economic difficulties.
Despite these claims, many Americans remain frustrated by rising prices on essentials such as gasoline and groceries, costs that economists say have been partially driven by the tariffs imposed under Trump’s administration.
There is growing discontent even within Trump’s own Make America Great Again (MAGA) base, with some supporters criticizing his focus on international issues like peace efforts in Ukraine, Gaza, and tensions with Venezuela, rather than addressing pressing domestic concerns.
This shift in focus comes as Republicans face challenges ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, following significant losses in recent key contests including mayoral and gubernatorial races in New York, Virginia, and New Jersey. The party also barely maintained control in Tennessee, a traditionally secure area.
In response, Trump has increased his domestic campaign efforts to emphasize economic recovery. During a recent visit to Pennsylvania, he pledged to “make America affordable again.” He is scheduled to hold another campaign-style rally in North Carolina this Friday.
Vice President JD Vance, positioning himself as a key voice on economic issues and eyeing a potential 2028 presidential bid, called for patience from voters during a speech in Pennsylvania, acknowledging the complexity of repairing the economy. “They know Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Vance said. “They know what Joe Biden broke is not going to get fixed in a week.”
According to a recent Vanity Fair interview with Trump’s chief of staff Susie Wiles, the administration plans to shift focus more towards domestic economic issues in the coming months, with less emphasis on foreign affairs such as relations with Saudi Arabia.
As the midterm elections approach, the president and his team appear to be recalibrating their message to better address the economic concerns weighing heavily on many American voters.
