Donald Trump interrupted prime time television on Wednesday evening to boast about all the things he claimed he's been doing for the country while heaping blame on his predecessor Joe Biden

Some of the key voices in the MAGA movement have turned on Trump after the president's address interrupted prime time television with it being slammed as 'pointless'.

Trump delivered a politically charged address on Wednesday broadcast, attempting to blame Democrats for economic difficulties while announcing he is sending a $1,776 bonus check to US troops for Christmas.

Before the address, there were many rumors, especially magnified by Tucker Carlson, that Trump would be announcing war with Venezuela. Carlson is among a number of vocal Republican voices to condemn the idea of going to war.

The comments arrived as the nation prepares to settle in for Christmas celebrations, yet Trump focused more on national divisions rather than fostering unity. His address recycled his recent talking points that have so far failed to ease public concerns about the costs of groceries, housing, utilities and other essential items.

Matt Walsh, a right-wing political commentator and podcast host, was among those slamming Trump after the address. He wrote on X: "That was perhaps the most pointless primetime presidential address ever delivered in American history."

Another MAGA voice - Majestic Glow - with 46,000 followers wrote on X: "Remember when Joe Biden and his administration would tell us all how great things were, and we all loudly rejected that BS?

"Trump and his administration are doing the same thing."

Trump has pledged an economic surge, yet inflation remains high and the employment market has deteriorated significantly following his tariffs. Despite this he promised the tariffs would pay for a new "warrior dividend" for 1.45 million military personnel, a payment that could alleviate some financial pressures for many families.

The $1,776 figure referenced next year's 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence signing.

"The checks are already on the way," he stated regarding the expenditure, which would total approximately $2.6 billion.

Presidential speeches to the nation aired on network television are typically less partisan than rally addresses, but Trump delivered an abbreviated version of his standard political commentary. Surrounded by two Christmas trees and with a portrait of George Washington in the background, Trump addressed the nation from the White House's Diplomatic Reception Room.

He attempted to shift any economic concerns onto his predecessor, Joe Biden.

"Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess, and I'm fixing it," Trump declared. "We're poised for an economic boom, the likes of which the world has never seen."

His holiday message comes at a pivotal time as he strives to boost his dwindling approval ratings. Public polls indicate that most U.S. adults are dissatisfied with his management of the economy as inflation surged following his tariffs, leading to increased prices and a slowdown in hiring.

In 2026, Trump and his party will face a critical test of their leadership as the country heads into the midterm elections, which will determine control of both the House and the Senate.

Trump attempted to hold Democrats responsible for the expected rise in health insurance premiums as the subsidies linked to the 2010 Affordable Care Act are set to expire.

Democratic legislators and some Republicans have tried to tackle that problem, but Trump has resisted and proposed instead that payments should flow directly to health insurance purchasers rather than the insurers.