The US president has taken stock of the first year of his second term, as economic difficulties multiply and his actions on the international stage have isolated his country.

Donald Trump marked one year since his return to power on Tuesday with a long, rambling speech in which he mainly lamented that his record was not being properly recognized. Speaking in a voice that was often subdued and lacking enthusiasm, the US president addressed a packed briefing room at the White House for approximately one hour and forty-five minutes – including an hour and twenty minutes of monologue.

“I think God is very proud of my work,” he said in response to a question. For the rest of his speech, it was mostly a list of his most common complaints and attacks.

No earth-shattering announcement or landmark statement from the 79-year-old Republican, who for a year has been imposing his will on America and shaking up the world without encountering any real resistance, whether from foreign countries, political opponents or his own entourage, as had happened during his first term (2017-2021).

"My team doesn't often reprimand me."

"My team doesn't often rebuke me," the Republican president commented. "I don't like doing that, to be honest with you. I do it because the message needs to get across," Donald Trump told reporters, noting that he gives several media appearances a day and that this is even part of his strategy.

The US president is expected in Davos on Wednesday, where his European allies are holding their breath, fearing a further escalation of the diplomatic crisis surrounding Greenland.

The former property developer lamented the lack of press coverage of what he considers a very positive economic record, including the cost of living, a primary concern for voters. "We've brought it down considerably," he said, referring to prices, adding, "I don't understand it... Perhaps my PR team isn't very good, but we're not getting the message across."

Sitting to the side, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt remained impassive. "He's clearly out of touch with reality," reacted Katherine Clark, one of the leading Democrats in the House of Representatives, on X: the economic indicators are not good, the imposition of tariffs has fueled inflation, and unemployment has started to rise again.

"Trump wants to rule like a king"

“Trump wants to rule like a king. The more time passes, the crazier and more unpopular he becomes,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement marking one year since the inauguration. The opposition hopes to win control of Congress, where it currently holds a minority, in the fall midterm elections, capitalizing on the discontent among Americans, as evidenced by the polls.

In a recent CBS/YouGov opinion poll, 74% of respondents felt the president wasn't doing enough on prices, and 53% thought he was spending too much time on foreign policy.

Reiterating another recurring complaint, the Republican president once again lamented not having won the Nobel Peace Prize, repeating that in his view, "Norway controlled" the choice of laureates, which is nevertheless the work of an independent committee.

"I like the Hells Angels."

Donald Trump began his speech by showing photos of "unbalanced killers" who he said had been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and deported from the United States, particularly in Minnesota, the scene of protests against the government's immigration policy.

Commenting on the death of Renée Good, an American woman killed in Minneapolis by an immigration officer, he said: "I thought it was terrible." "Her father in particular was - I hope he still is, but I don't know - a big Trump supporter," the billionaire then noted.

Jumping from one subject to another, often repeating himself, but without deploying the energy he was able to show during his campaign rallies, the oldest president ever elected in the United States also boasted of having the support of the most famous biker gang in the world.

"I like the Hells Angels. They voted for me. They protected me," he said, referring to the group, which the US Department of Justice considers a "criminal organization."