Warp Speed

As reality challenges Trump, Trump challenges reality

Photo by Jonas Jaeken on Unsplash

Last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the job market had faltered in July. Their official tally showed only 73,000 jobs were created last month—far less than economists expected—and they revised their job figures for May and June downward by 258,000.

It’s the slowest rate of job growth since the early days of the pandemic in 2020. That pierces the narrative that Trump’s tariffs are boosting the labor market. In fact, it adds fuel to criticism that the tariff policy will be a drag on the economy.

Trump responded by firing the BLS commissioner responsible for the report.

Democrats called out the move for what it is. They denounced it as authoritarian. They said it is reminiscent of the former Soviet Union. They described it as “insane” and “absolutely nuts.”

I would add one additional adjective to that list.

Predictable.

Only half a year has passed and we have arrived at the “kill the messenger” stage of the second Trump presidency.

It was bound to happen.