December 18, 2025
Trump speech misrepresents gasoline price, energy costs
In his Wednesday speech, Trump claimed that energy prices, including gasoline, had dropped and that they would continue to drop more.
But they aren’t at the levels he claims.
The president said the national average gas price was $2.50 per gallon (around €.67 per liter). But the average nationally is $2.90 per gallon for the week ending December 15.
That’s according to the -Energy Information Administration, a government statistical agency.
Without providing evidence, Trump also said household energy costs have dropped by $3,000.
https://p.dw.com/p/55Zph
December 18, 2025
Trump appointee Dan Bongino resigns as FBI Deputy Director
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has said he’ll leave the agency in January after holding the position for less than ten months.
Bongino, a former right-wing podcaster, was appointed by Trump in March amid criticism of his lack of experience.
You can read more about Bongino’s departure from the FBI here.
https://p.dw.com/p/55Zoj
December 18, 2025
Trump’s speech is over
Trump has finished speaking.
We’ll bring you analysis of what he said during the live televised address shortly.
https://p.dw.com/p/55Zok
December 18, 2025
Trump promises Christmas checks for soldiers
Trump has promised what he called a “warrior dividend” of $1,776 (around €1,500) for military service personnel which will be sent out before Christmas.
He said the checks have already been sent to the around 1.5 million service personnel.
https://p.dw.com/p/55Zoh
December 18, 2025
Trump begins speech by outline the ‘progress’ of his administration, bashing Biden
Trump spent the beginning of his speech bashing former President Joe Biden and boasting of his what he sees as his achievements during his first year in office.
He said he had “inherited a mess” and “the worst border in the world” from the Biden administration.
“We have brought more positive change to Washington than any administration in American history,” he said.
He briefly touched on many topics during his speech, including crime, immigration, the war on drugs and restoring strength in America’s military.
He is also talking about bringing prices down, a topic of concern for many Americans amid an affordability crisis.
He is also praising his adminstration’s record on wage increases and employment.
“We are the hottest country anywhere in the world,” he said.
https://p.dw.com/p/55ZoY
December 18, 2025
Trump’s approval rating slumps over affordability concerns
US President Donald Trump’s speech comes amid his falling popularity and concerns over rising costs.
His approval rating decreased from 41% to 39% in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Tuesday.
Just one-third (33%) of Americans approve of how he is handing the economy, the poll found.
A November survey by US broadcaster CBS News and YouGov showed that nearly two-thirds (or 65%) of Americans felt Trump’s policies were making the cost of groceries go up.
https://p.dw.com/p/55Zo5
Welcome to our coverage
US President Donald Trump previewed his speech to reporters on Wednesday, saying, “The message this evening is we inherited a mess, and we’ve done a great job, and we continue to, and our country is going to be stonger than ever before very soon.”
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump may tease policy moves that are likely to come next year, too.
Follow us as we bring you the news from the Trump administration and the United States.
https://p.dw.com/p/55Znr
