Trump Falsely Claims 42% Unemployment Rate
The “real unemployment rate” as described by Trump is based on nothing but his fantasy. His claims have ranged from 21% to 42%.
The official unemployment rate is based on a monthly sample of households, which tracks how many people have a job, who’s “actively looking,” and who’s waiting to get called back after a recent layoff. And by this traditional measure, U.S. unemployment has steadily plunged, from 10% in October 2009 to 5.3% in July 2015.
An alternative measure of unemployment, called U-6, measures Americans who are not just unemployed, but “underemployed” — they’ve settled for part-time jobs — or have given up looking altogether. The U-6 unemployment rate soared past 16% during the economic downturn, and it’s still pretty high. According to the most recent U-6 calculations, about 10.4% of Americans are unemployed or underemployed.
So how did Trump arrive at 42% unemployment? Probably by relying on a different number called the labor-force participation rate. That ratio measures the percentage of the population that’s older than 16 and actively working.
According to the most recent report, about 37% of Americans older than 16 aren’t working. Factor in Trump’s tendency toward exaggeration, and that’s pretty close to the number he quotes to TIME.
Keep in mind: No one judges unemployment this way. No one should judge unemployment this way.
Trump’s number includes the tens of millions of Americans who actively choose not to participate in the labor force. He’s counting high school and college students. Elderly Americans who chose to retire. The disabled.
Even if Trump gets one point technically right — there are about 93 million Americans over age 16 without jobs — we don’t want all of these people to be working. (Unless you’re a fan of conscripted labor.)
Copyright 2015 Liberaland
13 responses to Trump Falsely Claims 42% Unemployment Rate
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Larry Schmitt August 22nd, 2015 at 13:16
But as we already know by now, he has never let a few facts get in the way of one of his bloviating shout downs. His method: Say whatever the f*ck he wants to say as loud as possible, and repeat it at every opportunity. Use as many made up numbers as possible, knowing no one in the audience or the media will challenge him. It’s worked so far.
Mike August 22nd, 2015 at 13:19
Hang on there people….in the Dump’s defense, he’s talking about the segment of the population that doesn’t work for him….
I would imagine the Dump, if elected, would bring back the 14 hour work day, 7 day work week, and you’d have to give birth during your 3 minute coffee break and clean up the mess yourself….
Larry Schmitt August 22nd, 2015 at 13:31
The more he talks, the more he sounds like one of the Robber Barons from the 19th century. The kind of owner that unions were created to protect the rest of us against.
Tommie August 22nd, 2015 at 13:32
“I will make America great again by outsourcing jobs and import illegals to take your jobs”! I am Trump!
Suzanne McFly August 22nd, 2015 at 14:02
Lie, lie, and lie some more donnie. The nuts don’t care, just keep on hatin’ on the brown skin people and you will always have their support. Classy guy.
labman57 August 22nd, 2015 at 14:04
In Trump’s world, public sector workers and private sector wage earners don’t count.
Larry Schmitt August 22nd, 2015 at 14:15
That seems to be the way a lot of the GOP candidates feel.
Jarid Moon August 22nd, 2015 at 14:28
Looks like he added the “official unemployment rate” (5%) to the 37%, lol.
Why would you want kids, school age and in college working or elderly retired and living a relaxing lifestyle? This number is actual a good number when it is high and the official unemployment rate is low… It means more kids in school and more people retired not having to work till death. What a dumb ass!
AnthonyLook August 22nd, 2015 at 16:07
As Bill Clinton and others have proven time and again; facts and numbers (as well as humor, wit and timing) are not Republican strong suits.
amersham46 August 22nd, 2015 at 20:43
unless they use FoxFacts
AnthonyLook August 22nd, 2015 at 21:06
No such animal as foxfacts.
cogitoergodavesum August 22nd, 2015 at 22:55
From the perspective of the Trumps of the world, anyone not fully employed is just a drain on his taxes – student, retiree, at home parent….
azeyote August 23rd, 2015 at 10:06
didn’t know there were that many paying jobs available