In a surprising turn, Owen Shroyer, a former prominent host for the right-wing outlet Infowars, launched a fierce public criticism of President Donald Trump following the president's year-end address to the nation on Wednesday, December 18, 2025. Shroyer, whom Trump pardoned for his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, took to social media to denounce the speech as Trump's worst yet.
Scathing Social Media Critique
Shroyer did not hold back in his assessment on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. He argued that Trump began by attacking his predecessor, Joe Biden, because he "needs a fall guy." Shroyer dismissed the president's claims about stopping political corruption and beating special interests, calling the latter point contradictory by stating "they bought him." He concluded his initial post by mockingly noting Trump spoke as if it were 2024 and an election had not just been won.
In follow-up posts, the criticism became more personal. Shroyer claimed Trump's confidence was "fading," that he was stuttering, and had lost his ability to "lie through the reality." He expressed shock at the change, stating he had "Never heard Trump like this" and that the president was not as comfortable or charismatic as he had been previously. Shroyer's final analysis was blunt: "His base has turned. He knows it. Ego damaged. Swagger lost."
Video Rant Targets Economy and Demeanor
Shroyer expanded his critique in a longer video, which he shared with his hundreds of thousands of followers. He focused heavily on the administration's handling of the economy, asserting that Trump's positive talking points "can just easily be disproven" and were merely "slop." He directly challenged the narrative of a strong economy, arguing, "You can’t tell Americans that the economy is great as if they don’t know they’re financially struggling themselves."
The former media personality also zeroed in on Trump's delivery. He observed that the president seemed to be speed-reading, lacked his usual aura and charisma, and delivered a stale message with "nothing new." Shroyer speculated that this moment signifies reality setting in for Trump and his team, suggesting others in the president's circle might follow the departure of figures like FBI deputy director Dan Bongino.
Background of a Growing MAGA Divide
This public rift is not Shroyer's first clash with pro-Trump circles. He left Infowars in September 2025 after a dispute with founder Alex Jones, who Shroyer claimed called him "too anti-Trump." Jones denied the allegation at the time.
Shroyer framed his latest criticism as a pivotal moment for the MAGA movement. He told his audience that the current period, stretching into January, represents the "official split" and the moment of a "MAGA divide" or "Civil War." His comments highlight a significant fracture within the president's core support base, coming from a figure who was once a vocal ally and a direct beneficiary of Trump's pardon power.
