Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 8th August 2025, 12:47 PM
United States President Donald Trump has justified his decision to dismiss the Commissioner of Labour Statistics, Erika McEntarfer, by accusing her of deliberately manipulating employment figures to favour former President Joe Biden.
During a press conference held in the Oval Office on Thursday, described as a “major announcement,” President Trump—flanked by economist Stephen Moore of the conservative Heritage Foundation—presented alternative employment data which, they claim, reveals significant discrepancies in official statistics.
Allegations of Data Manipulation
| Figures & Claims | Details |
| Alleged Overestimation | 1.5 million jobs overstated over the final two years of Biden’s presidency |
| Source of Revised Data | “Unpublished census data,” according to Stephen Moore |
| Trump’s View | “Not an error” – Trump suggested data was “purposely” falsified |
| Household Income (First 5 Months of Trump’s Term) | Median household income up $1,174 (adjusted for inflation), per Moore |
| Trump’s Comment | “That’s incredible” |
“Mr. President, that’s a gigantic error,” said Moore, referring to the 1.5 million job discrepancy.
“It might not have been an error, that’s the bad part,” Trump added. “I don’t think it’s an error, I think they did it purposely.”
Background on the Labour Statistics Revision
The Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) is known to routinely revise employment data following its initial publication. These adjustments can be either upward or downward and sometimes result in significant corrections.
In early August, the BLS issued a downward revision for job creation figures in May and June, cutting them by 258,000 jobs—a revision that deeply angered President Trump.
Shortly after the announcement, Erika McEntarfer, who had held the role of Commissioner since her Senate confirmation in January 2024, was removed from office.
“We had no confidence. I mean the numbers were ridiculous,” Trump said in remarks to reporters on Sunday.
Stephen Moore’s Involvement and Past Controversy
Stephen Moore, a long-standing Trump ally and economic advisor, supported the dismissal. He argued that the BLS needed new leadership and aligned with Trump’s claims regarding inaccuracies in federal labour statistics.
Moore was previously considered by Trump for a position on the Federal Reserve Board during his first presidential term. However, that nomination was abandoned after widespread criticism over Moore’s economic credentials and alleged sexist remarks.
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