President Donald Trump announced Wednesday night that nearly 1.5 million U.S. service members will receive a special Christmas bonus—what he called a “warrior dividend”—as part of his administration’s renewed focus on strengthening the military and honoring America’s heritage.
Speaking from the White House, Trump said the nation’s more than 1,450,000 active-duty personnel will receive a one-time payment of $1,776 in recognition of the country’s founding 250 years ago.
“And the checks are already on the way,” the president said, noting that the funds were made possible through tariffs and the recently passed GOP spending and tax legislation. “Nobody deserves it more than our military. And I say congratulations to everybody.”
Trump highlighted what he described as “record enlistment” under his leadership— a sharp contrast, he argued, to last year’s recruiting slump under Joe Biden. He said the previous administration produced some of “the worst” recruitment numbers “in our military’s history.”
“What a difference a year makes,” Trump added.
The president’s address served as a sweeping overview of his first year back in office. Beyond national security, he pointed to achievements in the economy, immigration enforcement, crime reduction, women’s rights, lowering healthcare costs, and streamlining the federal bureaucracy.
“After just one year, we have achieved more than anyone could have imagined,” Trump said. “We just needed a new president.”
