On Friday, President Donald Trump touted surprise job gains after a new labor report came out indicating an economic recovery, and he also insisted that states still under coronavirus lockdowns lift those restrictions.
President Trump Takes a Victory Lap Over New Jobs Numbers
“We’re bringing our jobs back,” Trump told reporters in the Rose Garden. “We’re gonna be back there. I think we’re actually going to be back there higher next year than ever before.”
Trump reminded everyone of his prediction that the economy could eventually bounce back and quickly, saying, “We’ve been talking about a ‘V.’ This is far better than a ‘V.’ This is a rocketship.”
The job surge we’re seeing is widespread across American industries! pic.twitter.com/zLyqEykO3Y
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 5, 2020
The President also signed a bill that should help small businesses by giving them more flexibility with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Trump said the bill would “especially help restaurants, hotels and other businesses.”
Trump tweeted Friday morning, “Really Big Jobs Report. Great going President Trump (kidding but true)!”
Really Big Jobs Report. Great going President Trump (kidding but true)!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2020
Unemployment Numbers are Far Lower than Most Experts Predicted
New numbers from the Labor Department show that 2.5 million jobs were added to the American economy in May, and unemployment dropped to 13.3 percent from 14.7 percent in April.
Many experts expected unemployment to reach 20 percent in May.
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President Trump said, “We’ll go back to having the greatest economy anywhere in the world, nothing close. And I think we’re going to have a very good upcoming few months. I think you’re going to have a very good August, very good July, but a spectacular, maybe spectacular September … and next year’s going to be one of the best years we’ve ever had economically.”
“The reason it’s been and is so good, is because the body was strong,” the President said. “Our body was so powerful that we could actually close our country.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2020
Trump also touted considerable progress in developing coronavirus vaccines and the need for states still on lockdown over COVID-19 to reopen.
“This is what these numbers are all about … It’s extremely important to remember that many of our states are closed or almost closed. Some of the big ones, New York, New Jersey, they’ll start, they’re starting now to get open. I hope,” Trump said.
The President then tweeted about what these numbers might mean for the Democrats and the 2020 election.
“Oh no, the Dems are worried again,” Trump said. “The only one that can kill this comeback is Sleepy Joe Biden!”
Trump added in a tweet, continuing the triumphant tweetstorm, “It’s a stunner by any stretch of the imagination.”
Oh no, the Dems are worried again. The only one that can kill this comeback is Sleepy Joe Biden!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2020
It is a stunner by any stretch of the imagination! @CNBC
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2020
1.87 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week which marked the ninth straight week of decline in claims.
Of course Democrats said Trump’s celebrating was premature.
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Democrats Not Happy
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement, “Thirteen percent unemployment number is not ‘joyous’ or ‘stupendous’ as President Trump has wrongly stated.”
Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez said in a statement, “We are in the largest unemployment crisis since the Great Depression. 21 million Americans are unemployed, and one-fifth of the American workforce has lost work or given up on trying to find a job. And Trump says he is joyous?”
“Families are struggling, hospitals are overwhelmed, businesses have shut down for good, and Americans are dying every day—all of this was preventable,” Perez’s office added.
As more states begin to reopen and even though unemployment numbers are around triple what they were pre-pandemic, this new jobs report gives hope for a quick economic turnaround.
And whether Democrats like it or not, President Trump has every reason to be happy about this progress.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2020