Bad News Is Good News? The Left's Premature Celebration Over Jobs Data
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The left cheered a weak jobs report—until Trump fired the stats chief, touted native-born job gains, and doubled down on his America First economic overhaul.
Many people described the jobs report that dropped from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on August 1 as "disappointing."
But it wasn't disappointing for the left and other anti-Trump redoubts. On the contrary, it was cause for celebration. Experts had expected the economy to add 110,000 jobs in July. It added only 73,000. Cue images of " The Scream " by Edvard Munch. Moreover, the robust reports from May and June were revised downwards by 285,000. Of course, bad news for Trump was good news for the denizens of the anti-Trump fever swamps.
But the joy was short-lived. Trump himself quickly weighed in to describe the numbers as "rigged." He also noted that Dr. Erika McEntarfer, the Commissioner of Labor Statistics, drastically overstated job growth in March 2024 and then again in August and September, just before the 2024 presidential election. Those numbers were subsequently revised downwards by 828,000 and 112,000, respectively.
Trump concluded that McEntarfer had "faked the jobs numbers" and promptly fired her. Whether or not that was politic—or, more to the point, whether it was good politics—is perhaps a question worth considering. It was music to the ears of the anti-Trump squadrons, however, since it gave them something else to complain about. Professional anti-Trumper Anne Applebaum, for example, reposted a critical comment by Pete Buttigieg (remember him?), charging that Trump's behavior was "very Soviet, except that Stalin then arrested and executed the statisticians." Portraying Trump as Stalin is a change from the usual Trump as Hitler comparison, though it's not exactly an upgrade.
I think there are essentially two things to be said about this jobs report.
First, notwithstanding the tocsins of anti-Trump fury, the report wasn't really that bad. The left seized on it as one shred of possibly lukewarm economic news in the midst of an ocean of upbeat news—the deals with countries across the globe, the taming of inflation, unemployment hovering just above 4%, and the billions of dollars already realized through Trump's tariffs: it presents a very robust picture overall.
I think Senator John Kennedy got it right when he noted that "This jobs report isn't perfect, but I wouldn't trade America's economy today for that of any other country, thanks to President Trump." Indeed. "To put things in perspective," Kennedy said, "we had 9% inflation under President Biden only a few years ago." Today? Inflation is about 2.5%.
Moreover, something that the jobs report fails to register is that most of the jobs lost are either foreign-born or government workers. Native-born workers, as this chart shows, "continue to make exceptional gains and real wage growth under Trump."
As one forthright commentator noted, "The idiots on the left and the fake news media are calling the July Jobs Report a 'disaster,'" but when you drill down, a different story emerges. The number of jobs for native-born American workers went up by 383,000, while the number of foreign-born workers went down by 1,500,000 since April. Remember, too, that we have just seen the fourth straight month of an "illegal labor purge."
All of this, I would say, is encouraging. But it—and this is the second thing to be said about the August 1 jobs report—it is important to place it in the context of the large shift in the U.S. economy that Trump is endeavoring to bring about. The tariffs, the "America First" rhetoric and policies, and the twin initiatives to seal the border and deport the people who are here illegally: all this is part of an effort to reorient the U.S. economy away from the sugar high of globalist debt and spending, and back to the ethic of "Made in America."
The policies designed to encourage the return of manufacturing to the U.S. will help whittle at the gargantuan federal debt (now approaching $37 trillion) and also put upward pressure on the wages of U.S. workers. Consumer prices will rise, but so will middle- and working-class wages.
This is part of what Trump promised to bring about during his campaign for president: to make sure that the forgotten and maligned American worker would be forgotten no more. It's what millions of people voted for. It won't happen without some disruption, but so far, the transition is being managed with consummate skill by Trump and his economic lieutenants, Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury, and Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce. It is nice to see the promises that were made on the campaign trail being kept.
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and all this is Trump BULLSHIT.
Manufacturing ain't gonna be coming back anytime soon, if at all.
Why isn't it?
Cost.
Creating a manufacturing plant is typically a multi-billion-dollar, long-term strategic decision. These decisions are not based on whims of an irrational PotUS but rather on business fundamentals.
In addition, plants would need a supply-chain infrastructure. If that is not available (the normal case) then that must be built too.
This takes many years in the making. So even if the business conditions make it sensible to develop a new plant, this will definitely not be done soon.
In addition, modern manufacturing will NOT be based on conventional labor-intensive models. New plants will be run by automation and that does not translate into a lot of labor jobs.
Moreover, in 'due' time. . . a course CORRECTION in this 'new' business model will be made—see some future president. And where will all these so-called new manufacturers be? Highly probably, 'swinging in the wind.' Trump will be gone with all his bold, outlandish, ideas that make him look 'GREAT' but ultimately not this country.
No doubt that's true for multi-billion dollar corporations, it doesn't necessarily apply to smaller manufacturers and startups.
See above.
I don't see how anyone could really not see that writing on the wall, however it will create some new jobs.
Smaller companies and startups typically do not build plants. And if a startup was heavily financed and could build a plant, it would still make a business decision and not base its plans on the whims of an irrational PotUS.
Ultimately, Greg, these are long-term business decisions. The idea that Trump, with his erratic, emotional, irrational moves would cause a company to make a long-term strategic business decision (of any kind) is ridiculous.
A company that was already planning to open a plant might publicly appease Trump by claiming he influenced their decision, but this is just manipulating Trump like an adult manipulates a brat child.
Right, they build or convert existing structures to manufacturing facilities to support those plants, hence the "see above" comment as to infrastructure.
Mmm,
Same difference. A manufacturing plant is a strategic decision and it will NOT be based on the whims of an irrational PotUS.
And the strategy has to be long-term definitionally. As congress may change hands in less than two years to a party 'ballsy' enough to throw penalty flags or strike outs at this president.
No, it's not. That you think it is speaks volumes...
A non-rebuttal ... another 'nuh-uh' with no argument whatsoever.
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We are not in the spin room, nevertheless.
I have to agree with that.
Because nobody is going to make the investment necessary to create manufacturing capacity when the tariffs aren't going to last.
Wishful thinking at best. The lack of low priced consumer goods will be a calamity for many millions of "native born" Americans.
Every time the left gets giddy and gleeful about supposedly bad news for Trump, they turn out to be wrong. Same thing will happen this time if past history is a good indicator. These jobs numbers jump and down so much and are constantly revised so much as to make them meaningless. Inflation has pretty much leveled off. The changes promoting economic growth and fair trade that Trump is trying to make will take time despite all the attempts by the lefties to shut it down.
Well, I see 'spin doctors' are in! That's all.
Well, I see 'spin doctors' are in! That's all.
You can not correct what you deny outright that is factual. But, here we are in the clutches of fools and their denials. The shameless will have to 'eat' it, and then hit rock bottom.
Who exactly "cheered" or "celebrated" lower jobs numbers? Do you mean someone said, "i told you so?" Because that's not the same thing.
Based on the blow to his ego, and nothing more. He should be impeached just for this. I mean, there are plenty of other things to impeach him for, but accusing this person of fraud, without evidence, and firing them is enough to remove the president.
Of course now, some MAGA person may ask me for evidence, and demand I make a persuasive case based on law - a standard to which the president himself will not be held. That's an example of how corrupt this administration is at its core. It's an example of how morally bankrupt his supporters are. If you don't swear allegiance to the great leader, and are not willing to lie to make him happy, then you're gone. And people are ok with this.
And they are ok with this...
what a fckn joke they've made out of this once great country
No, we are not okay with this. But we are 'denied' by republicans in congress (and indirectly the courts) the right to properly address it. Firing people because they won't or can't make you feel good about a job report indicates a wish to be lied to—who wants to be lied to once at-known on a regular basis?
Trump is impossible. But it is what it is. Our nightmare until we wake up.
I for one am ecstatic to see American Greatness keep me up to date[✘]
thanx for keeping US All abreast of the situation Trumpy
Do I get the Golden Trum-pic award?
What Trump is implying: The only truth that matter is what HE tell us. Anything other than that. . . will be cause for firing and rejection. MAGA supporters can not be so enraptured with their "Savior-king."
Trump is THE Truth.
Nobody can be that gullible. Therefore, Trump and his MAGA supporters are like friends with benefits. ("TRADE.")
You mean what you THINK he is implying?
Let me introduce you to the American Leftist. These idiots think a man can get pregnant, the current POTUS "colluded" with Russia, and Biden what "running circles around WH staff".
Drop your sword. It is 'useless' with against the 'inpervious.'
It is obvious that Trump is firing anybody that does not join in his "oneness" mission. Unless you are completely with him, he is subject to 'vote' you off the island. "Many people" MAGA supporters are willing to be onboard for the 'bennies" (benefits) that Trump is delivering to conservatives. . . but APOLOGISTS too?!
Good thing all that was removed from office in January.
See 8.1.1. . . . but APOLOGISTS too?!