Trump announced a dividend payment of $1,776 to every American soldier.

 

In a prime-time televised address from the White House Diplomatic Reception Room on Wednesday night, President Donald Trump announced a plan to send $1,776 to more than one million U.S. service members, branding the payment a "Warrior Dividend."

“Because of tariffs and the recently passed ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ I am proud to announce tonight that over 1,450,000 members of our military will receive a special Warrior Dividend before Christmas,” Trump stated during his speech.

The President began his remarks by taking aim at his predecessor, Joe Biden, claiming he "inherited a mess" upon his return to the White House this past January.

Political and Economic Pressures

The address comes as Trump faces declining approval ratings across various sectors, ranging from immigration to inflation. The announcement is also viewed as a move to bolster support for the Republican Party as they fight to maintain their majorities in the House and Senate ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

“We are rescuing our economy from the brink of collapse,” Trump asserted.

However, the economy—once a cornerstone of his political strength—has increasingly become a vulnerability. Large-scale tariffs have sparked market uncertainty and led to rising costs for some businesses and consumers. According to a CNBC All-America Economic Survey, 66% of respondents disapprove of Trump’s handling of inflation this month, up from 60% in April. His economic approval rating currently sits at 36%, with an overall job approval rating of just 38%, according to a Marist poll released Wednesday.

Despite these figures, Trump predicted "the biggest tax refund season of all time," citing the tariff and spending measures he signed into law during the summer.

Foreign Policy and Anti-Drug Claims

The President also used the platform to highlight his foreign policy record, claiming—without specific evidence—to have ended eight wars since taking office. He further emphasized his aggressive stance toward Venezuela and drug interdiction.

“Drugs coming in by sea and by ship are already down 94%,” Trump claimed.

Since September, the administration has intensified strikes on suspected drug-running vessels in the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean. In October, Trump claimed without providing evidence that each of these vessels "is responsible for the deaths of 25,000 Americans and the destruction of families."

Coinciding with the start of his speech, the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced it had struck a vessel in the Eastern Pacific involved in "illicit narcotics trafficking" on the 10th, resulting in four fatalities.

Notably, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) maintains that fentanyl, the primary driver of U.S. overdose deaths, largely enters the country from China and Mexico via the southern land border rather than by sea.

Escalation in Venezuela

The President’s rhetoric toward Venezuela also reached a new peak this week. On Tuesday, Trump designated the Venezuelan government a "terrorist" organization and ordered a "total and complete" blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving the country. This follows an interview with Politico last week in which he refused to rule out a ground invasion of the nation.