Trump orders firing of labor statistics chief

The US president dismisses Erika McEntarfer following disappointing employment data.

Trump fires labor statistics chief amid stalled jobs growth

Donald Trump has ordered the firing of Erika McEntarfer, the commissioner of labor statistics, just hours after the latest employment report showed that jobs growth has slowed during the summer months. Trump accused McEntarfer of "faking" employment figures from the previous election, claiming without evidence that she aimed to help Kamala Harris's campaign. He asserted that the economy is thriving and announced on Truth Social that he would replace her with someone more capable. The timing of this firing raises concerning questions about the government's handling of employment data, especially as officials struggle to explain the disappointing jobs report, which has seen downward revisions for previous months.

This abrupt dismissal of Erika McEntarfer reflects deeper tensions surrounding economic data under the current administration. By questioning the integrity of labor statistics, Trump not only undermines public trust in official reports but also signals a willingness to politicize economic data for personal gain. This can have long-lasting effects on how such data is perceived and used in policy-making. The president's declaration of a "BOOMING" economy clashes sharply with the actual data, illustrating a disconnect that may only heighten public skepticism and weaken confidence in economic messages from the White House.

Highlights

The implications of this firing could affect how economic data is viewed moving forward.