Trump has been erroneously claiming for weeks that he created a million jobs. Now that's actually true.
President Trump can now factually claim that he has created more than a million jobs following the Labor Department's Friday announcement that 209,000 jobs were added in July, Politico reports. "More people are coming into the labor force and finding jobs," Citizens' Bank's global markets head Tony Bedikian told CNBC. "It's difficult to find anything really negative in the report."
Job growth is more or less at the same levels as 2016, with an average of 184,000 created per month in 2017 — including January, when former President Barack Obama was still in office. In 2016, an average of 187,000 jobs were created per month. Critics, including Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) of the Joint Economic Committee, pointed to the fact that "after nearly eight months on the job, President Trump has failed to come up with a cogent plan to create good-paying jobs and increase wages." House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) offered mixed praise, claiming the economy is making "steady progress," but "also shows too many Americans are still having a hard time finding good-paying jobs, getting a raise, and providing for their families."
Trump has falsely claimed in the past that he had already created a million jobs, Politico adds. On June 1, Trump erroneously claimed that "we've added … more than a million private sector jobs," and on Monday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders also mistakenly claimed a million jobs had been created. At that point, the tally was only 863,000.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Leaked memo adds to speculation of Justice Roberts' MAGA stance
In the Spotlight A new report details how Roberts has allegedly gotten closer to former President Donald Trump
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Preeclampsia: The dangerous pregnancy condition is affecting more women
Under the Radar The condition of preeclampsia is on the rise and can be deadly if left untreated
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: September 19, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds cap credit card late fees at $8
speed read The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to save households an estimated $10 billion a year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published