US President hails economic gains, tariffs and foreign policy moves at White House briefing
January 21, 2026: On the first anniversary of his second inauguration, US President Donald Trump addressed the media in a nearly two-hour press conference at the White House, claiming his administration had delivered “unparalleled” achievements. Holding up a thick binder, Trump said it symbolised the scale of work completed over the past year, asserting that his government had outperformed all previous administrations. He claimed inflation inherited from the Biden era had been brought under control, economic growth had surged and the United States was “booming”.
Trade and tariffs dominated much of Trump’s remarks, with the president defending their use as an economic and national security tool even as a Supreme Court case looms over their legality. Trump said the tariff regime had already generated hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue and suggested that, if upheld, the proceeds could eventually fund $2,000 dividend checks for Americans and help reduce national debt. He acknowledged uncertainty over the court’s decision but maintained that tariffs had strengthened US security and bargaining power.
On foreign policy, Trump struck a conciliatory tone on Venezuela, praising opposition leader María Corina Machado and indicating openness to future engagement, particularly in the energy sector. He also made sweeping claims about US military actions, asserting that threats from Venezuela and Iran had been neutralised. Domestically, Trump said illegal border crossings had dropped sharply and defended immigration enforcement measures, while reiterating criticism of the United Nations and reviving controversial ideas such as US interest in Greenland.