When people are asked what they are thankful for on Thanksgiving, many might think of family, health or friends.

When Donald Trump was asked what he was thankful for, he mentioned his family before explaining why he was thankful for himself.

The US president was asked the question by a reporter and replied by saying he was thankful for "having a great family and for having made a tremendous difference in this country".

"I've made a tremendous difference in the country," he said in a video posted by The Hill.

"This country is so much stronger now than it was when I took office and you wouldn't believe it.


"I mean, you see it, but [it's] so much stronger that people can't even believe it.

"When I see foreign leaders they say: 'We cannot believe the difference in strength between the United States now and the United States two years ago'.

"We've made a lot of progress."

Earlier, Mr Trump told US troops overseas that the country is doing exceptionally well on his watch.

"I hope that you'll take solace in knowing that all of the American families you hold so close to your heart are all doing well," he said.

"The nation's doing well economically, better than anybody in the world."

He later told reporters that "nobody's done more for the military than me".

In a more tightly-scripted Thanksgiving message posted on his Twitter account, the US president praised troops serving overseas and encouraged Americans to pray for those who had suffered loss, including those affected by "catastrophic storms and devastating wildfires".

He said he was thankful for firefighters, first responders and law enforcement officers; family, friends, neighbours and "fellow citizens who make this glorious nation into a beautiful home".