Daily Update - December 18, 2025
Blue Wave Meet Red Wall
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This is the Wilmington Standard Daily Update for Thursday December 18th, 2025.
The President kicked off campaign season last night with an all out attack on the Democrats and their economically disastrous policies that have spanned generations.
From immigration to energy to taxes to the economy, the Blue Wave of recent Democrat victories across the country came squarely up against the even bigger Red Wall of Trump’s winning policies. We have decreased illegal immigration and drugs across our border, driven up jobs – especially in the private sector, reduced taxes and decreased prices. Many of these points could have been pulled from his campaign speeches – but the main difference is that he listed achievements – not promises. He did make one overall promise last night – that we haven’t seen anything yet.
The response from the Democrats and their allies in the press is that Trump was lying, he was angry, he was spiteful. The whole message was pointless - which is all they could say, because President Trump brought receipts and all the talking heads could bring was the same old “Orange Man Bad” rhetoric.
You don’t actually have to blindly believe that what the President said last night was true. No one is asking you to take his words for Gospel. But over the next several months instead ask yourself – are you better off – and what is the reason?
Are you able to keep more of your hard-earned money because Republicans reduced your tax burden? Are you able to get a job because you no longer have to compete with illegal immigrants? Do you feel safer on the streets because of tough on crime policies – or do you live in an area that is controlled by Democrats who cater to criminals. Is your grocery bill going down? Are you able to get health insurance through private associations that go across state lines? Are you able to afford rent because you do not have to compete with those here illegally, and can you afford a mortgage because of reasonable interest rates? In short, are you able to take care of your family and live your life more fully because of the policies of Republicans or Democrats.
You have just under 11 months to figure that out.
For the Wilmington Standard, I’m Reuel Sample. Thanks for listening.
Reuel Sample is the Editor-in-Chief of The Wilmington Standard. A graduate of Grove City College and Princeton Theological Seminary, he has served as both a Presbyterian Pastor and a Navy Chaplain. He is the product of a classical liberal arts education combined with real world experience in politics and business and conservative Christian worldview firmly rooted in the Reformed tradition. He is the host of several podcasts including the NHC GOP Podcast, the Pastor's Voice, and co-hosts the Nikki and Reuel Podcast Experience. An avid sailor, he has sailed around the world as a youth and to the Azores as a teen as well as extensive trips up and down the east coast of the United States. He is honored to be married to his wife Pam and makes his home in Wilmington, NC.