A top economic advisor of President Donald Trump launched into damage control mode Friday, attempting to reframe last month's disastrous jobs report on Fox Business, arguing the numbers aren't as bad as they look — if you squint hard enough.
That's according to The Daily Beast, which flagged the comments from Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council.
"When you look at the [job] numbers and see that they’re below 100 [thousand], the below 100 thing isn’t as disturbing as it might be in the past,” Hassett told Varney & Co host Stuart Varney.
“We’ve reduced federal government employment by 250,000 this year, and, of course, we’re deporting illegals,” Hassett added. “And so if you account for those things, then the expected jobs number for a strong month is a lot closer to what we’re seeing.”
The Fox host wasn't so sure.
Varney, looking concerned, replied, “I just think we’re missing something here.”
Employers added a measly 50,000 jobs last month, missing economists' expectations by about a third. By contrast, President Biden's final year averaged 168,000 monthly jobs added, to Trump's 2025 average of just 49,000.
Hassett, rumored as Trump's top pick for Federal Reserve chair, said he'd accept if asked.