By Jacob Burg
President Donald Trump on Dec. 17 announced that more than a million military service members will receive a $1,776 “warrior dividend” bonus before Christmas.
Trump delivered an address to the nation from the White House on Wednesday night, laying out the road ahead for 2026. He highlighted the Pentagon’s efforts to destroy multiple Iranian nuclear facilities this year and his administration’s efforts to reach a cease-fire between Israel and terrorist group Hamas.
“Tonight, I am also proud to announce that more than 1,450,000 military service members will receive a special—we call warrior dividend—before Christmas,” Trump said in his speech. “A warrior dividend in honor of our nation’s founding in 1776. We are sending every soldier $1,776.”
The U.S. military had 1.3 million members on active duty, and 2.6 million total service members, including National Guardsmen and civilian personnel, as of Sept. 30, according to government data.
The president said the checks are “already on the way” to members of the military.
“Nobody deserves it more than our military, and I say congratulations to everybody,” Trump said.
Trump also highlighted his administration’s efforts to secure the U.S.–Mexico border, levy tariffs on all U.S. trading partners, lower gasoline prices, and repeal renewable energy programs.
Later on, the nation heard the president announce an agenda coming next year to lower housing costs, which he called “some of the most aggressive housing reform plans in American history.”
Trump suggested that the increase in illegal immigration under his predecessor, President Joe Biden, raised housing prices for Americans.
“At the same time, illegal aliens stole American jobs and flooded emergency rooms, getting free health care and education paid for by you, the American taxpayer. They also increased the cost of law enforcement,” he said. “For the first time in 50 years, we are now seeing reverse migration, as migrants go back home, leaving more housing and more jobs for Americans.”
However, Trump did not elaborate on what his upcoming housing proposals might include.
The president ended his speech by celebrating the United States co-hosting the FIFA World Cup next year, bringing the 2028 Summer Olympics to Los Angeles, and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.
“When the world looks at us next year, let them see a nation that is loyal to its citizens, faithful to its workers, confident to its identity, certain to its destiny, and the envy of the entire globe,” Trump said.
