The nation watched as the President addressed the country, painting a stark contrast between the current economic landscape and the one he inherited. He described a nation teetering on the “brink of ruin,” a situation he directly attributed to the policies of the previous administration.
He asserted that the previous leadership had depleted the national Treasury, fueling an unprecedented surge in prices across the board. From automobiles to airline tickets, the President claimed everyday costs had spiraled out of control, impacting millions of American families.
Specific figures were cited to illustrate the extent of the alleged economic hardship. Car prices, he stated, had jumped by at least 22%, gasoline by 30 to 50%, hotel rates by 37%, and airfares by 31%. The average mortgage, he claimed, had increased by $15,000.
The President insisted a reversal was already underway, emphasizing a rapid decline in these same costs under his leadership. He pointed to falling prices as evidence of a successful economic turnaround, promising further improvements in the near future.
This address came as a direct response to a recent trend in political campaigning. Opponents had successfully framed the economic debate around “affordability,” capitalizing on voter concerns about rising costs and attributing them to the current administration’s policies.
Recent election results, favoring candidates who campaigned on affordability, prompted a shift in strategy. The President now directly confronts the narrative, arguing that the current economic challenges are remnants of past policies, not present ones.
He recalled inheriting an economy plagued by the worst inflation in nearly half a century, a situation he described as making life “unaffordable” for countless Americans. This, he emphasized, was the economic reality he faced upon taking office.
The President highlighted specific examples of price reductions, claiming a 33% drop in the cost of a Thanksgiving turkey compared to the previous year. He also cited an 82% decrease in the price of eggs since March, signaling a broader trend of falling prices.
Beyond price drops, the President focused on wage growth, contrasting the financial experience of workers under both administrations. He claimed real wages had plummeted by $3,000 under his predecessor, while factory workers were now seeing increases of $1,300.
The benefits extended to other sectors, with construction workers experiencing wage gains of $1,800 and miners seeing an even larger increase of $3,300. He asserted that wages were now rising faster than inflation, a significant shift in economic conditions.
In a move designed to honor the nation’s founding, the President announced the implementation of “Warrior Dividends.” Every member of the U.S. military would receive a payment of $1,776, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the country’s establishment.
He stated that the checks were already being distributed, a tangible expression of gratitude for the service and sacrifice of the men and women in uniform. This announcement added a patriotic element to the economic message, linking financial benefits to national pride.
