In a startling escalation of his long-standing war on official data, former President Donald Trump has publicly accused the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of being "dishonest" and deliberately fabricating economic figures to damage his political standing.
Trump's Data Conspiracy Theory Goes Viral
The incendiary claims were made on his Truth Social platform, where the former president alleged the non-partisan federal agency is "doing everything they can to help the Democrats" by releasing "fake numbers" about the jobs market. This attack represents a significant broadening of his previous criticisms, moving beyond specific reports to question the very integrity of the institution.
Shocking Epstein Comparison Emerges
Adding a deeply controversial layer to the accusations, Trump reposted a message from economist EJ Antoni that drew a direct parallel between the BLS and the Jeffrey Epstein case. The shared post outrageously suggested that "the same people who brought us the fake GDP numbers, fake inflation numbers, and fake jobs numbers" were also responsible for Epstein's death in prison.
This comparison to one of the most notorious conspiracy theories in recent American history has alarmed experts and commentators, who see it as a dangerous erosion of trust in foundational government institutions.
Experts Dismiss Claims as Baseless
Economic analysts and former BLS officials have been quick to condemn Trump's allegations. The Bureau, which employs hundreds of professional statisticians and economists, operates under strict methodological guidelines that have been consistent across multiple administrations, both Democratic and Republican.
"These claims are not just false, they're dangerous," said a former BLS commissioner who wished to remain anonymous. "Undermining public faith in objective data makes effective governance nearly impossible and plays into the hands of bad actors."
A Pattern of Institutional Distrust
This incident is not isolated. Throughout his presidency and beyond, Trump has consistently attacked institutions that produce data contradicting his preferred narrative, including intelligence agencies, courts, and election officials. This latest broadside against the BLS fits a established pattern of attempting to discredit any source of information that challenges his claims.
The White House and Democratic leaders have condemned the remarks as irresponsible, while some Republican figures have remained conspicuously silent on the latest controversy surrounding the former president.
