A dictator speaks

"The Economy is BOOMING under 'TRUMP.'"

— D.J. Trump, 1 August

"[Investors anticipate a cut in] interest rates to bolster a flagging economy." (NYT)

"U.S. employers added 73,000 jobs in July, less than economists expected."

"Manufacturing jobs fell by 11,000 last month."

"The unemployment rate rose."

"Significantly revised down [were] the data on hiring from May and June by a combined 258,000 jobs."

"The labor market [is] under greater strain than initially believed."

"U.S. Treasury yields [fell] sharply."

"U.S. inflation increased in June.... Prices posted their biggest gain since January." (Reuters)

"Stocks fell on Friday." (NYT)

"The dollar dropped against other major currencies."

"Other economic data released this week offered fresh evidence [of] slowed trade and [higher] prices."

"Hours after disappointing jobs data ... Trump said that he planned to fire the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Erika McEntarfer."

"I have directed my Team to fire this Biden Political Appointee, IMMEDIATELY.... Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate, they can’t be manipulated for political purposes." (Truth Social)

"Stephen Miran, the chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers,... said much of the change was the result of 'quirks in the seasonal adjustment process' and even the president’s own policies, particularly on immigration.... He made no mention of any concerns about manipulated data." (NYT)

"She [McEntarferis] is widely respected in the statistical community."

"The Senate confirmed [her] to the post in 2024 on an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote."

"She [has] served under presidents" until Trump.

"There will never have been a transformation of a country like the transformation that’s already happening in the United States of America. It’s an incredible thing to watch." —D.J. Trump, "Liberation Day" speech, 2 April 2025