Trump Downplays 6.6% Black Unemployment, Falsely Claims Historic Low
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 7
Trump Downplays 6.6% Black Unemployment, Falsely Claims Historic Low
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 7
Summary
Black unemployment held at 6.6% in June—the highest rate among racial groups—even as Trump publicly described conditions for Black workers as the best ever.
At a June 4 Oval Office event, asked about the disparity, Trump sidestepped the gap and pointed instead to future factory openings and returning auto production.
A day later in Wisconsin, while praising the latest jobs report, he repeated the false claim that African American unemployment was at a historic low.
The comments contrast with Trump’s 2024 campaign focus on protecting "Black jobs" and come as Black Americans have been disproportionately affected by several of his policies.