July marked the highest level for the jobless rate since October 2021
The only jobs Biden’s created are for illegal immigrants: Donald Trump
Former President Trump says President Biden has done a ‘poor job’ handling the economy during the CNN Presidential Debate. (Courtesy: CNN)
Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign is blaming former President Trump for the latest negative jobs report — nearly a full term after he left office.
“Donald Trump failed Americans as president, costing our economy millions of jobs, and bringing us to the brink of recession,” Harris for President spokesperson James Singer said in a statement.
“Now, he’s promising even more damage with a Project 2025 agenda that will decimate the middle class and increase taxes on working families, while ripping away health care, raising prescription drug costs, and cutting Social Security and Medicare — all while making his billionaire donors richer.”
Singer added: “We’ve made significant progress, but Vice President Harris knows there’s more work to do to lower costs for families.”
US Job Growth Slows
The U.S. job market saw a significant slowdown in July, with the unemployment rate reaching its highest level since October 2021.
US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at Westover High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on July 18, 2024. (ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)
Singer said Harris “will make building up the middle class the defining goal of her presidency, taking on greedy corporations that are price gouging consumers, banning hidden fees, and capping unfair rent increases and drug costs.”
The Labor Department reported that employers added only 114,000 jobs in July, missing the 175,000 expected by economists. Additionally, the unemployment rate inched higher to 4.3%, instead of holding steady at 4.1% as anticipated.
US President Joe Biden, left, and Vice President Kamala Harris on the Truman Balcony of the White House in Washington, DC, on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Tierney L. Cross)
Friday’s report brings to light concerns about a weakening economy amid persistent inflation and high interest rates. Stock futures dropped, with Dow futures losing more than 500 points.
The weaker job numbers also put the Federal Reserve’s decisions under scrutiny. Policymakers, who just decided to keep interest rates at a 23-year high, might start loosening monetary policy as soon as September.
Sectors with Job Changes
Health care led the job creation chart with 55,000 new hires in July. Other sectors with considerable growth included construction (25,000), government (17,000), and transportation and warehousing (14,000).
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks as U.S. President Joe Biden looks on in the Rose Garden of the White House on July 26, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Conversely, some sectors saw job losses. Employment in information dropped by 20,000, and the financial activities sector lost 4,000 jobs.
The report revealed some revisions for previous months. June’s job gains were reduced by 27,000, bringing them to 179,000, while May’s numbers were slightly lowered to 216,000 jobs.
Trump Campaign’s Response
The Trump campaign placed the blame for the economic situation squarely on the Biden-Harris administration.
“Kamala Harris has proudly and repeatedly celebrated her role as Joe Biden’s co-pilot on ‘Bidenomics,’” Trump Campaign National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.