In a rare evening address from the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump boasted on Wednesday (December 17) of his accomplishments, amid falling approval ratings.

"Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess, and I'm fixing it," Trump said in a speech that lasted less than 20 minutes and was delivered at rapid-fire pace.

The Republican president, who regularly complains that he does not get credit for his accomplishments, offered few new policy initiatives to address high costs.

He announced a “Warrior Dividend” of $1,776 for 1.45 million service members and pledged aggressive housing reforms and lower drug prices.

Trump highlighted falling gasoline costs and promised more energy projects, adding, "our border is secure, inflation is stopped, wages are up, prices are down."

"One year ago, our country was dead... Now we're the hottest country anywhere in the world," he said, the room behind him festooned with holiday decor.

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll on Tuesday (December 16) showed just 33% of U.S. adults approve of how Trump has handled the economy.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AT ROSTRUM ADDRESSING NATION

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"Good evening, America. 11 months ago, I inherited a mess, and I'm fixing it."

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5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"One year ago, our country was dead. We were absolutely dead. Our country was ready to fail. Totally fail. Now we're the hottest country anywhere in the world."

6. WHITE FLASH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"Tonight, I am also proud to announce that more than 1,450,000, think of this, 1,450,000 military service members will receive a special we call Warrior Dividend before Christmas. A warrior dividend. In honor of our nation's founding in 1776, we are sending every soldier $1,776."

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9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"In addition, I'm doing what no politician of either party has ever done. Standing up to the special interests to dramatically reduce the price of prescription drugs. I negotiated directly with the drug companies and foreign nations which were taking advantage of our country for many decades to slash prices on drugs and pharmaceuticals by as much as 400, 500, and even 600%. In other words, your drug costs will be plummeting downward."

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11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"The money should go to the people - that's you - so they can buy their own health insurance, which will give far better benefits at much lower costs. It will be far better health insurance."

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13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"Gasoline is now under $2.50 a gallon. And in much of the country, in some states, it by the way, just hit $1.99 a gallon. And within the next 12 months, we will have opened 1,600 new electrical generating plants, a record. And it's a record that won't be beaten by practically, I would say, by anybody."

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15. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"And I'll soon announce our next chairman of the Federal Reserve, someone who believes in lower interest rates by a lot and mortgage payments will be coming down even further early the new year. And you will see this in the new year. I will announce some of the most aggressive housing reform plans in American history."

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17. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"Tonight, after 11 months, our border is secure, inflation is stopped, wages are up, prices are down. Our nation is strong. America is respected and our country is back stronger than ever before."

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19. TRUMP ENDING SPEECH