In the wake of the last report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics–a report reflecting the effect of Trump’s insane approach to economic matters–the Mad King responded by firing the chief labor statistician, Erika McEntarfer, a highly respected expert.
Trump has now nominated one EJ Antoni to be the chief labor statistician for the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Robert Hubbell reports that Antoni would be leaving his job at the arch-conservative Heritage Foundation, “where he specialized in generating economic propaganda that had only a passing acquaintance with economic reality. In other words, he is a perfect candidate to create fake reports about the imaginary performance of the US economy.” As Hubbell notes, although it’s rare for members of a profession to criticize one another publicly, Antoni has been an exception; he’s drawn withering criticism from numerous respected members of the economic community.
Should average Americans care who heads up the Bureau of Labor Statistics? Or for that matter, which government pooh-ba is put in charge of determining whether government should fund development of a vaccine against, say, bird flu? How much are our everyday lives affected by obscure government agencies that are charged with determining the outlines of our shared reality?
That seemed like a good question to ask Chatgpt, so I did. The AI pinpointed a number of consequences, including misguided monetary policy, with the Fed raising or lowering interest rates inappropriately, risking recession or runaway inflation.
Also, in normal times, Congress and the White House rely on BLS data to design stimulus programs, tax changes or spending cuts. (These, of course, are not normal times. Bad numbers lead to bad decisions, and we can expect some terrifyingly bad decisions as a result of this latest attack on facts and real-world evidence.)
The AI also noted that it isn’t just government that relies on the data generated; private companies use BLS data to forecast demand for their products, to set wages and to make hiring and location decisions.
There was a lot more, but the bottom line was that “inaccurate BLS data can ripple from policy boardrooms to factory floors, from Wall Street to Main Street, and from short-term market moves to long-term structural harm. Even though BLS regularly revises its data to correct errors, the damage from bad initial reports—especially in fast-moving markets or politics—can’t always be undone.” In other words, even good-faith efforts by competent analysts will sometimes generate inaccurate results, and those errors can damage the economy. How much more damage can fanciful numbers manufactured for political reasons do? (Don’t look now, but we’re about to find out…)
Trump’s assault on the Bureau of Labor Statistics is consistent with MAGA’s other frantic efforts to ignore and reject much of contemporary reality. Unfortunately for these angry, unhappy people, replacing accurate economic data with propaganda will not magically usher in a more robust economy, just as jettisoning sound science will not make Americans healthier, and rewriting American history will not return White “Christian” men to social dominance.
It will simply destroy the American experiment.
If I decide that gravity is just a “theory” and jump off a tall building, my rejection of that “theory” won’t save me. Fudging the numbers at the Bureau of Labor Statistics won’t help Americans find jobs or afford groceries. No matter how desperately MAGA folks want to bend reality to their will, it just doesn’t work that way.
Antoni will be another producer of bullshit in the bullshit machine known as the Trump administration. This affront to rationality can only end when something dramatic happens.
Of course, the Truth will ultimately bear out in OUR daily lives – prices, job and recreational opportunities, etc. (etc.) Dystopian dreams, anyone? As you note, lies about economic truths are not a self-fulfilling prophecy. These idiots *never* consider consequences. They figure the gaslighting has served them pretty well so far, and sadly, it has. May they all burn in hell (and may there be a hell for them to burn in).
Reminds me of hearing from Elizabeth Warren how all these private equity firms caused multiple companies (Red Lobster, Party City, Jo Ann Fabrics) to go out of business. Meanwhile, I am wondering why all these places that seemed to have enough customers were going under. Now I have my answer and I’m not happy about it!
When I first heard about the nomination, I had wondered how Trump could find a gaslighting MAGA economist. It makes sense that somebody like the Heritage Foundation already has an economic propagandist on the staff.
I once asked AI to compare the rise of t*ump with the rise of Hitler. The parallels are chilling.
I hope there are some people who are tracking the rise in prices at the grocery store. I noticed that, before t*ump was re-elected, the price of whole bean coffee at Fresh Market was $11.99 a pound. Now it is $15.99/lb. Last week the price of a loaf of Dave’s Bread was $5.99, now it is $6.99.
Sheila, if you are going to outsource your analysis to AI, I will stop reading this blog. I come here to read considered thoughts of a real person of intelligence, not disembodied plagiarism scraped from the Web. AI has its place in computational analysis, but not here.
Remember last August the BLS reported a downward revision to job growth for the previous 12 months – through March 2024- by more than 800,000 — the largest downward revision since 2009.
Sure don’t miss ole Joe.
Vernon,
When the BS hits the fan, you know that the crowing from the top of the mountain will be, the deep state did it! Except, I thought they rooted out the deep state. So there must be massive incompetence by those loyal Roto-Rooters! And, who selected those Roto-Rooters? It will be interesting to see how they try and twist reality even further to explain it.
Thank you… once again.
One wonders why our Senators are so willing to risk the demise of our democracy economy; the further degrading of our environment; the health of our people. Do they not understand these things will adversely affect them, their families??? Money and power may insulate to a degree and for awhile, but bad air is bad air for everyone. Reduced precautions against disease means more vulnerability for everyone. Bad economies eventually are bad for all.
It seems the height of stupidity….
Incompetence is its own reward.
Let me explain. When I was hiring people, I quickly realized that it was virtually impossible to judge the potential of professionals right out of college. It was essentially a gut-feel decision because so much of their future success was based on what we usually would call personality. How they managed relationships, their level of curiosity, and whether they were open to learning and teaching, as well as their educational background.
The hires sorted themselves out over time. The excellent ones rose to the top. The others were useful in more specialized assignments that matched their personalities. In an extensive, highly technical society, there was very little waste from the standpoint of hiring professionals.
Trump’s appointments of yes-men who fear his temper will, over time, sort themselves out at our expense. Waste will go up. Big mistakes will get made. People will suffer.
Incompetence is rewarded with failure.
The Heritage foundation, and its Koch brothers sires are a big part of why Trump was able to become POTUS in the first place. Of course he would find a willing,
“Happy to help” gu there, just like he found Hegseth at Faux News!
Stephen, step back, take a few deep breaths, Sheila was just wondering about predictions.
gail, “The final revision, released in February 2025, further adjusted the numbers to 589,000 fewer jobs than initially reported.”
The point being that the reports were done without the firing of the messenger, regardless of the corrections.
You may not miss him but he was not a vindictive whiner, always the victim, who now has appointed someone who has no administrative experience, no expertise other than the ability to suck up and lie.
Depending on the accuracy of anything that comes out of this administration or even the Braun administration is no longer possible as they have repeatedly demonstrated that they are willing to lie to get what they want.
If big business buys the b.s.- the stock market may stay high-If The Money Fears DT- like Columbia U’s leadership does – Columbia will get by- but the others will then be “ beaten down”.
When we Trust Robert Reich and Chuck Schumer to Lead us- then We will Pay and less well off people will Literally die Sooner- Resisting- Organizing as 40-85 year olds isn’t easy- but necessary as we support leadership increasingly from Younger and in some case not young people- Indivisible and SURJ and others are Trying. We at least have a chance- resistance to The Takeover can prevent NYC + Chicago + Oakland continue ing the Military Side …
My biggest fear is that the manipulation of data will lead to the incorrect evaluation that there is no inflation. Antoni wants to serve Orange Jesus,, not the people and he has been critical of Social Security. Now he is in the perfect position to do just that. Zero inflation means zero cost of living increases. Those who receive Social Security and others who rely on government pensions will see their income level out while prices skyrocket.
The only goal is the destruction of. Social Security. The path to that will be a level of distrust in the System. By the time they’re done with it even the words Social Security will be anathema to everyone.
Stephen,
BIG THANKS FOR TRUTH TELLING! Our culture is heading down the rabbit role of everything being convenient/easy/fast and simplified. Could have led many folks to MAGA?
We are so screwed– IF we ever get out of that mess and that is a big IF since the GOP are trying to strip our Democratic Republic and prevent voting–it will take decades to repair the damage that has been done in just the past 6 months
Apologies – “rabbit hole”. No AI checking by me….
I am 84 and have referred to it as Social Insecurity since I was in my 30’s. Now that I am dependent on it for roughly 60% of my annual income, I am belatedly paying attention to what is happening to it. Politicians, at their peril, forget that silver foxes vote at a significantly higher rate than their younger peers!
Even though it is really bad right now he’s what 78 years old? I would bet that most Republicans/Maga are just waiting for his demise so they can take over. They still don’t care about Jan. 6th or the Epstein files or any of the other crap he’s done or is doing. Its all about keeping control by any means possible.