Donald Trump‘s holiday speech is causing alarm. The President recently addressed the nation in a prime-time broadcast that left the nation talking about what many described as an incoherent and even “manic” speech. He began the speech by talking about the country’s economic state and blaming it on the previous government.
Trump delivered an 18-minute speech at what can best be described as a crazed pace on December 17. “Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess,” he began while shifting the blame to the Biden administration as he often does.
The scripted speech flew out of the President’s mouth in a rapid succession, even making it difficult to keep up. It was evident that he took no pauses, barely took time to breathe, and got louder with every passing sentence.
Trump: ‘To each and every one of you: Have a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year, God bless you all!’ pic.twitter.com/gos1rf1GXK
— Jungle Journey (@JnglJourney) December 18, 2025
At some point in the speech, he claimed that he would make sure that America is “respected again like never before” by this time next year. He concluded the speech by wishing the nation a Merry Christmas, but nothing about the wish screamed merry.
“To each and every one of you, have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. God bless you all,” he was heard saying with a straight face and no hint of joy whatsoever. One possible reason for the President’s extremely fast-paced speech could be the short time slot he was given by the network.
CBS reportedly reserved only a 22-minute window for the President’s address, which came in between the season finale of the hit show Survivor. Lisa Desjardins, who is a PBS News correspondent, gave her two cents on Trump’s speech in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“If folks [are] wondering: I clocked that Trump speech at 140-150 words per minute (checking multiple points). That is normal speech for a generic speech by any person but 2x Trump’s reported State of Union speed,” she wrote.
If folks wondering: I clocked that Trump speech at 140-150 words per minute (checking multiple points).
That is normal speech for a generic speech by any person but 2x Trump’s reported State of Union speed.
— Lisa Desjardins (@LisaDNews) December 18, 2025
CNN Medical Analyst Jonathan Reiner labeled the pace of the President’s speech as “manic.” He also claimed that the 79-year-old looked visibly “unwell” while delivering the speech.
Netizens had similar opinions when it came to the speed at which words were flying out of the 79-year-old’s mouth. “Trump is delivering this speech like the prompter operator passed out with his finger on the 3x speed button, and he’s trying to keep up with the text as it flies by,” one user joked.
Another pointed out how they have never seen the President in that state. The same user alleged that Trump looked noticeably “panicked.”
