President Donald Trump's nationally televised address from the White House on Wednesday set off a fresh wave of scrutiny over his leadership and credibility, as critics pointed to rambling passages, disputed claims and an uneven delivery that quickly dominated political debate. The speech, delivered from the Diplomatic Reception Room, was billed as an effort to steady a divided country but instead amplified questions about the administration's direction as economic and foreign-policy pressures mount.
In the address, Mr. Trump praised what he described as sweeping achievements across immigration, diplomacy and prices, while repeatedly faulting former President Joe Biden for problems he said he inherited. He asserted that the country had gone from "worst to best" in 11 months and claimed his administration had "settled eight wars in 10 months," statements that drew immediate pushback from analysts and political opponents.
The speech came at a tense moment for the White House. Unemployment climbed to 4.6% in December, according to recent data, and the administration is confronting renewed friction with Venezuela after Mr. Trump announced a "total and complete blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers. At home, the looming expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies at the end of 2025 has raised concerns that health-insurance premiums could rise sharply next year.
Viewers and commentators seized on the president's delivery as well as the substance of his remarks. Several passages veered off script, and critics said the president appeared to slur words and raise his voice as the speech progressed. Supporters dismissed those critiques as partisan attacks, while opponents argued the performance reinforced doubts about his steadiness under pressure.
Among the most contested claims were Mr. Trump's assertions on prices and energy. He said prices were falling "fast" and that gasoline had dropped to $2 a gallon in some areas, attributing the shift to his tariff strategy. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has warned in recent weeks that tariffs have increased costs for consumers and contributed to economic uncertainty, a dynamic the central bank links to recent job losses.
Reaction online was swift. On X, one user wrote, "WHERE is gas under $2 in the states," accusing the president of "spewing lies." Others focused less on policy disputes and more on the tone of the address, saying it raised concerns about the president's ability to communicate clearly at a critical juncture.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the criticism late Wednesday. Allies of the president said the address underscored his willingness to confront rivals and tout accomplishments, while Democrats said it highlighted a widening gap between the president's rhetoric and conditions facing households.
