History may remember this moment as the “Bah! Humbug!” address. In a holiday setting adorned with Christmas trees and garlands, President Donald Trump delivered a speech that invoked the spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge, the infamous miser who loathes the festive season.

With an accusatory tone, Trump blamed President Joe Biden for various issues, notably immigration, contrasting sharply with the season’s message of goodwill. Instead of embodying the holiday spirit, the president’s address felt more like a desperate rant.

In lieu of the traditional end-of-year press conference, Trump opted for a highly publicized 20-minute speech. Standing in the diplomatic room rather than the Oval Office, he expressed his frustrations in a monotone delivery, illustrating a stark departure from the customary presidential decorum.

Dressed in a blue suit and red tie, Trump unleashed a frenzied stream of thoughts with minimal pauses. His chief of staff, Susie Wiles, remarked on his erratic energy, which seemed fueled by multiple Diet Cokes served just before the event.

Trump began his address by falsely claiming he inherited a “mess,” asserting that inflation was the highest it had been in 48 years — contrary to the reality of a declining 3% inflation rate when he took office. He continued to lay blame not just on Biden, but also on previous trade agreements and immigration policies, painting a grim picture of national issues.

Reiterating themes from his campaign rallies, he depicted Biden as enforcing extreme social policies and opening the borders to criminals. He claimed to have “broken the grip of sinister woke radicals in our schools,” leveraging divisive rhetoric.

In his diatribe, Trump labeled “affordability” a Democratic hoax, while simultaneously recognizing high prices. He claimed the nation was on the brink of an economic boom and pointed to recent gasoline price drops, despite evidence suggesting only minimal changes in gas costs.

Additionally, Trump announced a “warrior dividend” of $1,776 for 1.45 million American service members, crediting tariff revenue without acknowledging that such tariffs have also contributed to rising costs.

The president boasted about his foreign policy achievements, asserting he settled eight wars and achieved unprecedented peace in the Middle East. However, his speech also contained troubling comments targeting Somali Americans and echoed claims made by right-wing extremists regarding migration patterns.

The overall tone of the address suggested desperation, particularly as polls indicate dwindling public support, with a recent Reuters/Ipsos survey showing only 33% of Americans approving of his economic management.

Trump’s need for adversaries was apparent throughout his remarks. Figures like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Biden, and Kamala Harris have served as scapegoats for his administration, often overshadowing his political strategies and government policies.

This was brought into focus as plaques unveiled at the White House’s presidential walk of fame labeled Obama and Biden in starkly negative terms, reflecting Trump’s ongoing need to position himself against others rather than advocate for his own initiatives.

In truth, with Biden absent for nearly a year, the public has largely moved on. Trump, searching for a new target, may find it challenging as the Democratic Party lacks a clear leader for him to attack.

Following his address, Trump engaged with reporters, questionably assessing his performance while reiterating his reliance on staff feedback. Ultimately, the speech fell short of delivering an uplifting holiday message, suggesting a darker narrative akin to that of Scrooge pre-transformation.