After claiming official jobs data was “rigged,” Donald Trump fired Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) commissioner Erika McEntarfer, sparking concern about the integrity of US economic data. Replacing her is EJ Antoni, a vocal Trump supporter known for misrepresenting statistics and advocating for significant changes to the agency. Antoni’s nomination has raised alarm among economists due to his lack of credibility and partisan views, alongside his past calls to halt the publication of monthly jobs reports and questionable claims about the BLS. These actions have led to worries about the accuracy and reliability of future economic data released under his leadership.
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Following the firing of the previous U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner, President Trump nominated E.J. Antoni, the Heritage Foundation’s chief economist, to lead the agency. Critics, including conservative economists, have expressed concern over Antoni’s partisan affiliations and lack of experience in statistics collection. Experts suggest that, if confirmed, Antoni could manipulate jobs data to support Trump’s claims of a “booming” economy, potentially undermining the integrity and reliability of economic data. This move has been widely criticized as undemocratic and economically dangerous, with potential consequences for policymakers and the public.
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Following a disappointing jobs report, President Trump has nominated E.J. Antoni, an economist from the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025 contributor, to replace the fired Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) chief, Erika McEntarfer. Trump’s decision to remove McEntarfer came after she released a report showing fewer jobs created than expected and downward revisions of previous months’ figures, a move condemned by economists. Antoni, a BLS data skeptic, has criticized the agency and is expected to focus on data accuracy and timeliness, though he has also indirectly contradicted Trump’s claims of a booming economy. The nomination is now awaiting confirmation by the Republican-controlled Senate.
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In a move reflecting the administration’s disregard for factual reporting, President Trump fired the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner after the agency reported a slowdown in job growth. This decision followed Trump’s social media accusations of the commissioner manipulating jobs data. The president’s actions highlight his intolerance for unfavorable facts, particularly those concerning tariffs, mass deportations, and their impact on the economy. While a few GOP members criticized this authoritarian action, the incident underscores a broader pattern of prioritizing the president’s feelings over objective truth, which has been a hallmark of this administration.
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Following the firing of a top Bureau of Labor Statistics official, Donald Trump’s team scrambled to explain the decision, citing concerns about the reliability of jobs data. The former president accused the official of manipulating figures, though no evidence supported these claims. While some administration officials pointed to data revisions as a justification for the firing, critics, including former government officials, condemned the move as undermining the integrity of the agency. The episode has raised concerns about the politicization of economic data and its potential impact on market confidence.
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The article compares President Trump’s response to disappointing jobs reports to smashing a bathroom scale in an attempt to obscure weight gain. After revised estimates showed a significant downturn in job growth, Trump responded by attempting to intimidate the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which the author argues is a futile gesture. While this tactic might briefly fool some voters, the author asserts that voters will ultimately rely on their personal economic experiences, rendering manipulated statistics ineffective. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of reliable economic data for market activity, social science, and sound economic policy, suggesting that Trump should instead focus on correcting course.
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Following the release of disappointing job growth figures for July, former President Donald Trump fired US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) commissioner Erika McEntarfer, leading to condemnation from senior Republican lawmakers. The job numbers, coupled with revisions from previous months, indicated an economic slowdown, prompting Trump to allege the figures were “RIGGED” and that the economy was “BOOMING”. Republican senators, including Cynthia Lummis and Thom Tillis, criticized Trump’s actions, emphasizing the importance of accurate, unbiased data and expressing concerns about the politicization of economic statistics. Even a former BLS commissioner appointed by Trump, William Beach, called the firing “groundless” and the move undermining of the BLS’s mission.
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Following the release of a weak jobs report, former President Donald Trump fired Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, appointed by Joe Biden, accusing her of fabricating statistics. The July report showed only 73,000 jobs added to the U.S. economy, prompting Trump to claim the numbers were rigged. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from numerous Republican senators and economists, who have condemned Trump’s actions, citing concerns about the politicization of economic data and the undermining of the BLS’s integrity. Several prominent voices from within the Republican party have criticized the decision, stating that the numbers should be objective.
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The recent jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed a significant downward revision of previously reported job growth, prompting criticism of the administration’s economic policies. Following the report’s release, President Trump announced his intention to fire the head of the BLS, drawing comparisons to autocratic actions and raising concerns about the agency’s independence. This action is viewed as part of a broader pattern of attempting to manipulate or suppress data that contradicts the administration’s narrative, with examples including the EPA’s rejection of climate science findings. This behavior is considered a manifestation of a political ideology that prioritizes economic agendas over the objective truth.
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Before the official release of the latest jobs data, the former president took to social media to criticize the Federal Reserve chair and hint at unfavorable job numbers. The subsequent release confirmed a significant slowdown in job growth. In response, the former president fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, baselessly accusing her of political bias and manipulating the data. This action is viewed as an authoritarian attempt to control the narrative and undermine the credibility of government data, potentially leading to a loss of confidence in U.S. employment statistics.
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John Q. Hosedrinker