The release of the October jobs report has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, serving as a stark indicator of the current administration's economic struggles. With only 12,000 new jobs added—far below the anticipated 113,000—and significant downward revisions for previous months, critics argue this data validates former President Donald Trump’s claims of a stronger economy during his administration. As the Biden-Harris campaign faces mounting scrutiny, the implications of this report could have lasting effects on voter sentiments heading into the next election.
Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris
speaks at a rally at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo
Center on October 30, 2024 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. (Andrew Harnik /
Getty Images)
WJ: Chalk Friday’s jobs report up as a “November surprise” for the Kamala Harris campaign and further proof of the argument Donald Trump has been making for some time now: His administration’s economy was far better.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that just 12,000 jobs were added in October, well below the 113,000 economists had predicted, according to Fox Business. The unemployment rate remained at 4.1 percent.
October’s jobs figure is the lowest seen since the heart of the pandemic in December 2020.
This jobs report is a catastrophe and definitively reveals how badly Kamala Harris broke our economy.
— Karoline Leavitt (@kleavittnh) November 1, 2024
In a single month, Kamala’s failed economic agenda wiped out nearly 30,000 private sector jobs and nearly 50,000 manufacturing jobs. Working families are being ripped off by… pic.twitter.com/NIWr7cUzB0
Fox Business host Charles Payne called the report a “disaster” and dismissed the spin that some are offering that a Boeing strike and hurricanes Helene and Milton are the primary reasons for the dismal number.
“[It’s] disingenuous to assume ‘experts’ that contributed to
consensus didn’t factor into their estimates hurricanes and strikes.
Moreover, huge negative revisions continue to reveal a much weaker labor
market than the media and economists portray,” he posted on X.
Jobs Report is a disaster and its disingenuous to assume "experts" that contributed to consensus didn't factor into their estimates hurricanes and strikes.
— Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) November 1, 2024
Moreover, huge negative revisions continue to reveal a much weaker labor market than the media and economists portray. pic.twitter.com/bf8RKJ6gMa
The BLS jobs report also contained significant downward revisions in the number of jobs created in August and September.
The August jobs report was lowered by 81,000, from 159,000 jobs to
just 78,000, while September was brought down 31,000 from 254,000 jobs
to 223,000.
BREAKING: The Labor Department has revised the last TWO jobs reports LOWER by a combined 112,000 jobs.
— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) November 1, 2024
Initially reported numbers showed that the US added 254,000 jobs in September which was just revised down by 31,000, to 223,000.
At the same time, the August jobs report was… pic.twitter.com/t4x6xge44G
The trend of revising downward the number of jobs created during the Biden-Harris administration has been going on for months.
The BLS announced
in August that its previous monthly reports had overstated jobs added
to the economy between March 2023 and March 2024 by 818,000.
This latest jobs report is a disaster for the Biden-Harris Administration.
— Rep. Wesley Hunt Press Office (@RepWPH) November 1, 2024
It’s the lightest jobs report since December of 2020.
Inflation continues.
Unemployment high.
Americans struggling.
That’s Bidenomics! pic.twitter.com/jM0SC3H1jH
Regarding the October jobs report, it’s worth noting that health care and government led the way in added positions, with 52,000 and 40,000, respectively.
Meanwhile, employment in temporary help services declined by 49,000 and manufacturing jobs fell by 46,000.
Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro pointed out that, “Kamalanomics has now produced a NEGATIVE private sector jobs report. Only government hiring people kept the overall employment number in the black.”
Kamalanomics has now produced a NEGATIVE private sector jobs report. Only government hiring people kept the overall employment number in the black.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) November 1, 2024
Keep in mind that any hiring the federal government is doing or subsidizing at the state and local levels through grants is being paid for through massive deficit spending, over $1.8 trillion in fiscal year 2024 alone.
And of course, sustained deficit spending at that level is inflationary, which has been another hallmark of the Biden-Harris economy.
Hopefully, the majority of voters will keep this jobs report and the economy overall in mind and choose to return to the prosperity seen under Donald Trump.
The October jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlighted a troubling trend, with job growth plummeting to its lowest levels since December 2020. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1 percent, while the report revealed substantial downward revisions for August and September job figures. Many analysts, including Fox Business host Charles Payne, criticized the administration's narrative surrounding the report, attributing the poor numbers to broader economic challenges rather than isolated incidents like strikes or natural disasters. The report raised concerns about the sustainability of government jobs amid substantial deficit spending, suggesting that voters may reconsider their preferences in light of these economic realities.