In a controversial statement that has reignited debates over economic data credibility, EJ Antoni, a prominent economist at the conservative Heritage Foundation and vocal supporter of Donald Trump, has accused the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of manipulating employment figures to favour President Joe Biden's re-election campaign.
Questioning the Numbers
Antoni, known for his alignment with Trump's economic policies, alleged that recent BLS reports showing strong job growth are "statistically implausible" and designed to create a false sense of economic recovery. "These numbers don't pass the smell test," Antoni claimed in his analysis, pointing to discrepancies between payroll surveys and household employment data.
Experts Push Back
Mainstream economists and former BLS officials have strongly rejected Antoni's claims. "The BLS has maintained rigorous, non-partisan standards for decades," said former commissioner Erica Groshen. "Suggesting political interference is both irresponsible and demonstrably false."
Political Context
The allegations come as Trump positions himself as the Republican frontrunner for the 2024 election, with economic performance likely to be a key battleground. Antoni's critique echoes Trump's frequent attacks on government institutions during his presidency.
The White House dismissed the claims as "desperate conspiracy theories" from Trump allies unwilling to acknowledge Biden's economic successes. Meanwhile, the BLS reiterated its commitment to data integrity, stating all methodologies are transparent and publicly available for review.
