President Donald Trump used a rare prime-time address to the nation Wednesday night to announce a one-time $1,776 bonus for US military personnel and mount a defence of his administration's handling of the economy, while Democratic leaders said his speech glossed over persistent cost-of-living pressures faced by Americans.
Speaking from the White House in an address broadcast live across major television networks, Trump said the payment described by his administration as a "Warrior Dividend" would be made to about 1.45 million active-duty and qualifying reserve service members before Christmas. He said the funds would come partly from tariff revenue and said the amount was symbolic of 1776, the year the United States was founded.
