Thu Dec 18 03:09:43 UTC 2025: ## Trump Announces Christmas Bonuses for Troops Amidst Economic Concerns
Washington D.C. – December 18, 2025 – Facing mounting public concerns about the economy, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday night that he is sending a $1,776 Christmas bonus to each of the nation’s 1.45 million military service members. Speaking from the White House’s Diplomatic Reception Room, Trump attributed the payments to revenue generated from tariffs, stating the checks are “already on the way” and dubbing the bonus a “warrior dividend.”
However, the President’s announcement comes at a time of heightened economic anxiety for many Americans. Despite a rising stock market, falling gasoline prices, and significant investment in artificial intelligence, inflation has reaccelerated since Trump’s implementation of tariffs in April, currently sitting at an annual rate of 3%, up from 2.3%.
Trump blamed his predecessor, Joe Biden, for the initial inflation spike, claiming he inherited a “mess” that he is now “fixing.” He presented charts to support his argument that the economy is on an upward trajectory.
The affordability squeeze is further exacerbated by a weakening job market. Monthly job gains have averaged a mere 17,000 since Trump’s controversial “Liberation Day” announcement in April, and the unemployment rate has climbed from 4% in January to 4.6%.
The speech is seen as an attempt by Trump to bolster his eroding popularity ahead of the crucial 2026 midterm elections. Republican losses in earlier elections have raised doubts about the strength of his coalition, making the economic narrative a critical battleground. Public polling indicates widespread frustration with Trump’s handling of the economy, particularly the impact of his tariffs on prices and hiring. The upcoming midterms will determine control of both the House and the Senate, making the stakes for Trump and his party exceptionally high.
First Piper 