People’s Daily commented on U.S. President Donald Trump’s primetime national address from the White House on December 17, in which he reviewed the first year of his second term.
The commentary noted that U.S. media outlets and political analysts widely view the speech as a political maneuver aimed at shifting public attention and rebuilding momentum amid slowing economic indicators and Trump’s low approval ratings. If the economic recovery he promised fails to materialize, the Republican Party could face serious challenges in the 2026 midterm elections.
Recent statistics and opinion polls highlight mounting economic and public pressure on Americans:
- Unemployment rose to 4.6 percent in November, the highest level in several years.
- Many Americans report that living costs are at record highs, with growing financial strain from essentials such as food, housing, and healthcare.
- Only about 33 percent approve of Trump’s economic policies, a low point during his current term.
- Even among his core supporters — the so-called “MAGA” base — support has shown signs of decline.
According to analysts cited in the commentary, Trump’s speech relied on three main tactics:
- Blaming predecessors — repeatedly criticizing the record of former President Joe Biden.
- Self-praise — claiming strong border security and economic progress, though many of these assertions were later fact-checked and found to be exaggerated or inaccurate.
- Vague promises — pledging reforms and tax cuts without providing clear details or timelines.
Democrats criticized the address for offering few concrete solutions, while some U.S. commentators argued that the speech glossed over the real economic hardships facing ordinary Americans — struggles that a wealthy politician may not fully understand.
As the 2026 midterms approach, many observers believe the Republican outlook will remain weak unless economic issues are effectively addressed. Some political insiders even predict that unmet expectations surrounding Trump’s policies could result in the GOP losing control of Congress.
Source: People’s Daily, December 19, 2025
https://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1219/c1002-40627969.html