President Trump gave a primetime address touting his economic record and promising relief in 2026 while reiterating claims flagged by fact-checkers. The administration announced $1,776 holiday checks for more than 1.4 million service members and directed the Pentagon to distribute $2.6 billion in a one-time housing supplement. A manhunt continues after the Brown University shooting that left two students dead and nine injured. House Republicans narrowly passed a health-care bill 216-211 but left expiring ACA premium tax credits unresolved, and the U.S. carried out another strike on an alleged drug vessel in the eastern Pacific, part of Operation Southern Spear.
5 Things to Know — Dec. 18: Wheelchair User's Spaceflight, Trump Address, Military Checks, Brown Manhunt, Health Vote, Sea Strike
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A Blue Origin rocket is set to launch today on a milestone mission that will include the first wheelchair user to travel to space, a historic moment for people with disabilities and mobility challenges.
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Presidential Address: President Donald Trump delivered a primetime address Wednesday, highlighting his administration’s economic record while acknowledging that many Americans are still worried about affordability. He criticized Democrats and former President Joe Biden for inflation and rising health care costs, touted tariff revenue and new Republican tax measures, and pledged additional relief in 2026. Fact-checkers say several of the president’s claims echo assertions previously debunked.
Military Holiday Payments: Trump announced that more than 1.4 million U.S. service members will receive checks of $1,776 before Christmas, calling the payout the “Warrior Dividend.” He credited tariff revenue for the funds but did not provide detailed funding specifics. A senior administration official told reporters the Pentagon has been directed to distribute $2.6 billion as a one-time basic allowance for housing supplement to eligible service members in pay grades O-6 and below.
Brown University Manhunt: The search for a suspect in the Brown University shooting continued with no arrests. Authorities released a photo of a person who crossed paths with the person of interest and published a map showing where that person was seen in the hours leading up to Saturday’s attack. Limited security camera footage near the campus building has prompted public questions and attention from the White House. The shooting left two students dead and nine others injured.
Health Care Vote: House Republicans narrowly passed a health-care package, voting 216-211 to send the measure to the Senate. Leaders framed it as a step to lower costs for some Americans in the coming years, but critics say it does little to address rising premiums in 2026. Lawmakers largely avoided dealing with expiring enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, which are set to lapse at month’s end and could cause premiums to spike for tens of millions next year.
U.S. Strike at Sea: The U.S. carried out another strike on an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in international waters of the eastern Pacific, killing at least four people, the U.S. Southern Command said. The military said the vessel was operated by a "designated terrorist organization." This was the second such strike this week; U.S. actions tied to Operation Southern Spear since September have been associated with about 99 deaths.
Quick Takes
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot remain astronomical: 1 in 292.2 million.
In shorter briefs: star-speckled sea creatures are being harmed by unethical photographers; wealthy amateurs are spending large sums to enter endurance events worldwide; many workers worry about AI disrupting careers though widespread job losses tied to AI are not yet evident; and Juan Peralta, a Latino recruit at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy and the son of an immigrant, says his background surprises many people.
Check your local forecast for today’s weather. Collectors are preparing to bid on iconic basketball memorabilia this week, with a famed pair of shoes expected to fetch millions at a California auction.
Note: This edition compiles developments across national security, politics, science and human-interest reporting to bring you the most important headlines of the day.
