Former Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) chief William Beach has claimed that Donald Trump attempted to influence him to alter unemployment data ahead of the 2020 presidential election. The allegations, made during an interview with Fox News, suggest Trump sought to downplay negative job figures to boost his re-election campaign.
Pressure to Manipulate Key Economic Metrics
Beach, who served as BLS commissioner from 2019 to 2020, revealed that Trump administration officials repeatedly questioned the methodology behind unemployment statistics. While no direct order to change numbers was given, Beach described an environment of persistent pressure to present more favourable economic data.
A Pattern of Questioning Official Statistics
The former statistics chief noted this wasn't an isolated incident, recalling how Trump had previously dismissed unfavourable economic indicators as "fake news." This latest allegation adds to concerns about the former president's relationship with factual data and independent government agencies.
Potential Consequences for Data Integrity
Experts warn such political interference, if proven, could undermine public trust in critical economic indicators. The BLS is meant to operate independently, with its data informing everything from Federal Reserve decisions to business investments and government policy.
The White House has yet to comment on these specific allegations, though Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding his administration's handling of economic data.
