Former President Donald Trump delivered a nationally televised address from the White House on Wednesday, adopting a rally-style tone to criticize the current economic conditions and attribute them to his predecessor. Speaking from the Diplomatic Reception Room, Trump asserted that he had “inherited a mess” and was now in the process of rectifying it, a narrative that mirrored the characteristic grievances aired at his political rallies.

During his remarks, which lasted over ten minutes, Trump made a series of claims about the economy, including a false assertion that inflation was the “worst in 48 years” when he took office. He quickly pivoted to highlighting his administration’s actions on immigration and transgender rights, before boasting about the positive changes he believes his administration has brought to Washington within its first year.

Trump claimed that his election provided a “mandate to take on a sick and corrupt system” that he alleged had previously siphoned wealth and “crushed the dreams of the American people.” He contrasted this with his presidency, stating he fights for “law abiding, hard working people” and has achieved more than anyone could have imagined in just one year.

The former president further asserted that inflation had “stopped” under his administration, with wages rising and prices falling, leading to a stronger, more respected, and economically poised nation. However, his claims about job creation, stating “100 percent of all jobs” created since his return were in the private sector, were demonstrably false, as were allegations about previous administrations prioritizing illegal immigrants for job growth.

Trump also touted his administration’s tax cuts as the “largest single tax cut in history,” while downplaying the significant tax increases on Americans resulting from his extensive tariffs on imports. He also inaccurately blamed Democrats for rising health insurance premiums, despite a Republican-led Congress’s refusal to extend COVID-era tax credits that had previously lowered costs.

These self-congratulatory remarks, broadcast live by television networks, are part of a broader effort by his administration to persuade Americans of his economic policies’ success. This comes as recent polling indicates a significant portion of the public, including a majority of independents, disapprove of his economic management, with his overall approval rating at its lowest point since his first term concluded.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a slowdown in hiring momentum, with job losses in recent months and a rising unemployment rate. Companies are reportedly hesitant to hire new staff, grappling with the integration of artificial intelligence and the uncertainty stemming from Trump’s policies, particularly his import tariffs and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes aimed at curbing inflation.

Recent surveys suggest that a majority of Americans believe the U.S. is in a recession, and many anticipate their financial situations will worsen. The cost of living is also a major concern, with a significant percentage of respondents finding it unaffordable, marking a substantial decline in perceived economic well-being.

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Keywords: Donald Trump, economic policies, inflation, job creation, tariffs, health insurance premiums, US economy, Biden administration