New labor data published by processing firm ADP underscores that the labor market is showing serious cracks. Amid sluggish hiring, rising jobless claims, and surging layoffs, American families are being squeezed tighter. The Trump administration’s tariffs and trade policies are exacerbating an already poor economic outlook.
Hiring dialed back sharply as private payrolls rose by just 54,000 jobs in August, far below the 65,000 expected and dramatically down from July’s revised 106,000 gain. Job cuts jumped 39%, with nearly 86,000 layoffs, the highest August total since the COVID-era in 2020.
In addition, the Labor Department released data showing weekly unemployment claims climbed to 237,000, exceeding expectations and signaling a weakening job market.
With fresh economic data showing Trump’s economy stalling and families struggling, the only question is whether he’ll face the truth or try to cook the books when the August jobs report drops this Friday.
Trump has a long history of attacking the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) when the numbers don’t flatter him. Now, with weak job growth, rising layoffs, and surging unemployment claims, Americans are bracing for Trump’s next move:
- Will he accuse the BLS of lying?
- Will he demand someone “fix” the numbers?
- Or will he fire another civil servant just for doing their job?
“Trump’s economy is failing working families, and instead of fixing it, he’s more likely to blame the statisticians,” said American Bridge 21st Century spokesperson Brandon Weathersby. “Americans don’t need excuses. They need jobs, lower prices, and a president who tells the truth.”
Published: Sep 4, 2025 | Last Modified: Sep 16, 2025