Thursday morning news: December 18, 2025

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TRUMP: Good evening, America

Trump address » President Trump spoke from the White House last night with a clear message from the very start:

TRUMP: Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess, and I’m fixing it.

Trump said under his administration, things like car prices, gas, airfare, and even Thanksgiving turkeys have all come down.

He also touted his use of tariffs, which he says will bring many manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.

TRUMP:  Companies know that if they build in America, there are no tariffs, and that's why they're coming home to the USA in record numbers. They're building factories and plants at levels we haven't seen, AI, automobiles.

The president also noted major progress in securing the border and curbing illegal immigration. And he highlighted peace deals his administration helped broker, particularly in the Middle East.

Trump also announced a special bonus for U.S. troops, what he called a special “warrior dividend” before Christmas.

TRUMP: In honor of our nation's founding in 1776, we are sending every soldier $1,776. Think of that, and the checks are already on the way.

Democrats called the president’s pronouncement of successful first year fiction, saying it’s been a disaster, pointing in particular to tariffs.

An average of recent polls shows Trump’s approval rating underwater, especially on economic issues.

Venezuela blockade » But for one recent decision President Trump made, some Democrats are actually voicing support.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal says he agrees in principle with President Trump's order to blockade sanctioned oil tankers headed into Venezuela.

BLUMENTHAL: There's ample justification to seize tankers that are under sanctioned, and in fact, I would urge that we seize all of the shadow fleet tankers that are transporting Russian oil, clearly fueling Russia's oil war machine against Ukraine.

That comes as Trump ramps up pressure on the country’s authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro.

The move comes after U.S. forces last week seized an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast, an unusual move that followed a buildup of military forces in the region.

House healthcare latest » On Capitol Hill:

AUDIO: On this vote, the nays are 216. The nays are 211. The bill is passed without objection. The motion to reconsider is laid on the table.

House Republicans passed a health care bill Wednesday that they say will help lower insurance costs by expanding coverage options and boosting competition.

GOP leaders say the plan makes it easier for small businesses and self-employed workers to band together to buy insurance and adds new price transparency rules they argue will put pressure on premiums.

Speaker Mike Johnson:

JOHNSON: The lower premiums for All Americans Act does exactly what the title suggests. Uh, it will reduce premiums for all Americans by, on average at at least 11% overall. And that's just the beginning.

Democrats say it will do no such thing. They blasted the bill, which does not extend COVID-era Obamacare subsidies set to expire at year’s end.

And Democrats say that will lead to soaring healthcare costs for many Obamacare enrollees.

Also on Wednesday, four Republicans later joined Democrats to force a House vote on extending those subsidies.

But neither plan is likely to have the 60 votes needed to pass in the Senate.

Ukraine latest » Russian leader Vladimir Putin says that if peace talks with Ukraine are unsuccessful, the Kremlin will push to conquer more territory in Ukraine.

PUTIN: [Speaking Russian]

Putin says Russia's military goals will be achieved one way or the other.

ZELENSKYY: [Speaking Ukrainian]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blasted Putin's comments, and urged allies to show Russia that continuing its war is "pointless."

And in France, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told EU leaders

URSULA VON DER LEYEN: Yesterday's peace is gone. We have no time to indulge in nostalgia...

She urged those leaders to use frozen Russian assets in Europe as backing for a loan to Ukraine. Those leaders are scheduled to meet today in Brussels to talk about it.

Brown University victim update » Authorities continue to hunt for the gunman who killed two people over the weekend at Brown University in Rhode Island. But at least as of last night, police still did not know exactly who they were looking for, with video footage showing only a masked assailant.

However, Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez says investigators are still gathering evidence.

PEREZ: Actual physical evidence. There's DNA evidence. There's a lot of evidence that we're collecting to ensure that we can find the answer.

Police say footage shows another man in close proximity to the shooter prior to the attack, and investigators are working to track him down for questioning.

Nine others were wounded in that attack, and Providence Rhode Island Mayor Brett Smiley provided this update on Wednesday:

SMILEY: We mentioned that one individual had been discharged. I'm happy to report that another individual has been discharged today that leaves one survivor in critical and but stable condition.

He said five others remained in stable condition.

Nick Reiner attorney remarks » Nick Reiner, son of famed Hollywood director Rob Reiner, appeared in court as he faces charges of first-degree murder in the death of his parents.

The 32-year-old did not enter a plea as he appeared Wednesday from behind the glass wall of a custody area. He was in shackles and wearing a jail suicide prevention vest.

His lawyer Alan Jackson, told reporters:

JACKSON: We ask that during this process, you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed to move forward, not with a rush to judgment, not with jumping to conclusions, but with restraint and with dignity.

The 78-year-old actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead from stab wounds in their Los Angeles home Sunday.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: oil tankers, drug boats, and a U.S. naval blockade. Plus, the power of the gospel in Uganda.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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