'Inherited a mess, fixing it': Bringing US 'back from brink,' Donald Trump declares in White House speech; key highlights

The United States President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the White House on Wednesday night highlighting his party's achievements and outlining his agenda. Trump also announced that 1,450,000 United States military servicemembers will soon each receive bonus checks for $1,776, paid for with revenues raised from tariffs.

Trump began the speech by saying "Good Evening America, 11 months ago I inherited a mess and I am fixing it." He then went on to claim that when he took office, "inflation was the worst in 48 years and some would in the history of our country"

For most part of his speech, Trump blamed his predecessor Joe Biden and the democrats for "mismanagement" of the country.

"Our border was open and because of this our country was invaded by an army of 25 million people...This is what the Biden administration allowed to happen to our country,” he said adding "it can never be allowed to happen again."

The 79-year-old Republican boasted that his administration has brought more "positive change" than any administration in the country.

Tirade against 'Illegal aliens'

Trump continued his tirade against the "illegal aliens" and said that on day 1 itself he took immediate action to stop the invasion of America's Southern border and proudly stated that for past 11 months "zero illegal aliens have allowed" in United States.

“Illegal aliens stole American jobs and flooded emergency rooms getting free health care and education paid for by you – the American taxpayer. They also increased the cost of law enforcement by numbers so high that they are not even to be mentioned,” Trump said.

Stopping of 'wars'

Trump once again reiterated his claim that he helped settle at least eight wars across the world in the first 10 months.

One of these eight wars include the escalation of tensions between India Pakistan in May 2025 after the Pahalgam terror attack. However, India has vehemently denied any involvement of the US.

He went on to say, "I have destroyed the Iran nuclear threat and ended the war in Gaza bringing for the first time in 3,000 years peace to the Middle East."

Trump also boasted the he secured the release of the hostages both living and dead.

Bringing Economy back from the 'brink of ruin'

Lambasting the Biden administration again, Trump says he is bringing the economy back from the "brink of ruin" and has turned it into one of the finest in the country.

The president insisted that prices of gas and groceries that have worried Americans were "falling rapidly, and it's not done yet. But boy, are we making progress."

He credited this growth to his favourite word, 'tariffs'. Trump referred to the steep tariffs he has imposed on various products entering the United States from countries like Canada, Mexico and India. He has imposed steep 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods entering American markets.

Trump then promised that "we are poised for an economic boom the likes of which the world has never seen" in 2026.

Package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than USD 10 billion

Trump also announced a massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion, including medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones.