An old adage that says, 'Who are you gonna believe, me or your own eyes?" was the theme of reaction to President Donald Trump's prime time speech Wednesday, where he praised his team to the heavens and blamed predecessor Joe Biden for all current problems.
In largely unsubstantiated claims, with germs of facts and moments of exaggeration, Trump delivered an 18-minute Christmas speech to the nation Wednesday evening, arguing that the economy under his leadership is in better shape than many Americans believe.
Some, like WYRD radio talk show host Tara Servatius saw a glorious return to the Trump of old -- defiant, confident, focused, "deadly calm" and "connecting the dots for Americans." His volume was up and his claims were big, and she applauded it. "That speech wasn’t just good — it was strategic," Servatius said.
On the other side, many saw a version of "old man yelling at cloud," raging against the truth of declining manufacturing, stagnant inflation, rising prices, stalled job growth and newly emerging conflicts in Venezuela by pretending it doesn't exist.
Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger wrote: “Someone come get grandpa. He’s yelling again, and we’re concerned.” The Daily Beast said the speech was "incoherent" "frantic" and delivered at double speed.
“What is happening right now? He’s just screaming into the camera,” Sarah Longwell, founder of political analysis site The Bulwark, asked.
CNN political commentator Maria Cardona said: “The president does not look or sound well. He is yelling at the American people. Seriously. He looks crazy. He is lying, he is melting down. He is cooked!”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who trolls the president mercilessly, mockingly compared it to the Gettysburg Address. For his part, Trump highlighted his efforts to lower prices, stating, "I am bringing those high prices down and bringing them down very fast."
The president blamed Democrats for soaring health-care costs, claiming the Affordable Care Act was created to make insurance companies rich.Trump boasted about his immigration policies, stating that all net job creation since he took office has gone to American-born citizens.
He also said he planned next year to “announce some of the most aggressive housing reform plans in American history.”
While some hoped he would announce tariff refunds for Americans, instead he said all members of the military will receive bonuses of $1,776. No details are yet forthcoming on where the money will come from or when they'll get it.
When the public has a voice, this is what they say: A new Reuters/Ipsos poll showed 58 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy while 33 percent approve. That's a new low in his second term.
And 39% of Americans said they approve of Trump’s overall job performance, a significant downgrade from the 47% approval he had in January.