If you managed to make it through all 20 minutes of Donald Trump’s screamed national address on Wednesday evening, you probably came away with the same impression as most people who watched the speech: WTF was that?!
For most of the speech, Trump seemed to be yelling at viewers, demanding that they accept he had created the greatest economy in the history of the world, despite every economic data point suggesting the exact opposite. For example:
“It’s not done yet, but boy, are we making progress,” Trump said on his efforts to lower prices. “Nobody can believe what’s going on.”
Nobody can believe Donald wasn’t on some sort of chemical mix prior to delivering his remarks, with some suggesting that he sounded like an angry parent chastising an errant child, which is usually not a good strategy for a politician to use.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) watched the speech, and he only needed one word, repeated over 100 times, to brilliantly troll the Liar-in-Chief, posting on social media:
Trump tonight:
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) December 18, 2025
Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me…
Newsom had other thoughts on Trump’s address that he shared online.
This could have been an email.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) December 18, 2025
His press office also joined the fun:
Many are saying that was a better speech than the Gettysburg Address.
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) December 18, 2025
Here’s a sampling of other reactions to Trump’s desperate attempt to pretend he’s not falling like a rock in the polls:
For someone who’s “winning” so much, why is Trump so mad? https://t.co/thog1hFmMV
— Rep. Rob Menendez (@RepMenendez) December 18, 2025
This is embarrassing mostly for him but honestly for all of us.
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) December 18, 2025
This is a presidential address that could have been a late-night Truth Social post.
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) December 18, 2025
That was some weird shit
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) December 18, 2025
My fellow Americans, tonight I am here to say the same things I've been saying every day, except faster and louder
— Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) December 18, 2025
Memo to the White House: Keep Trump away from the cameras. At this rate, his approval rating will be in negative territory by New Year’s Day.