Trump links rise in unemployment to cuts in federal workforce: 'Government jobs are way down'
President Trump: “The only reason our unemployment tucked up and went up to 4.5%, which it went up to 4.5%, which is quite a low number, but still, it is because we are reducing the government workforce by numbers that have never been seen before.”
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) December 19, 2025
“Government jobs are way… pic.twitter.com/R7xuxv6NZe
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump gathered the press and the media personnel at the Roosevelt Room at the White House on Friday, December 19. During his address, he discussed the state of the American economy, specifically the rising rate of unemployment.
The president claimed that the only reason unemployment “ticked up” was because the administration was reducing the governmental workforce.
He added that although it might seem like a low number, the unemployment rate went up by 4.5%, but assured that 100% of new jobs were in the private sector.
Trump links fewer government jobs to higher unemployment
During his latest press briefing, Donald Trump noted that the “only reason” that the rate of unemployment went up was because the government workforce was being reduced by numbers that have never been seen before.
He added that “government jobs are way down,” because the administration didn’t need 10 people to do one job, which had been the norm so far.
Trump further stated that the number would continue to reduce substantially and that “100% of our new jobs” would be in the private sector.
Looking over to his colleagues, the president questioned if they were shocked to hear that and added that it was the way to make America great again.
Trump claims he could reduce unemployment to 2%
The president added that he could reduce the rate of unemployment to “2%, 1%, or practically zero,” by hiring people into the federal government. However, Donald Trump added that those jobs were unnecessary.
“We had millions and millions of people having jobs that they didn’t show up (for),” Trump added.
The president noted that he wished the media would report that the current rate of unemployment, which stood at 4.5%, was an “amazing number.” He added that if they didn’t, he would let people go into the federal workforce, and “it will look wonderful.”
PRESIDENT TRUMP:
— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) December 19, 2025
"The only reason unemployment ticked up to 4.5% is because we are reducing the government workforce."
Trump also says he could reduce unemployment to 2% "overnight." pic.twitter.com/QO7lf59jg0
Ahead of the announcement, Donald Trump defended his administration on Truth Social, in which he claimed approximately the same things he mentioned during his speech.
He wrote that he could reduce unemployment to 2% “overnight” by hiring people into the Federal government.
“I wish the Fake News would report the 4.5% correctly,” he wrote.
