Overview

• On CNBC’s Squawk Box, Trump reiterated that the July jobs report was “totally rigged” despite presenting no proof.
• Host Joe Kernen pressed Trump on Elaine Chao’s view that the BLS commissioner lacks control over raw data calculations.
• Former commissioner William Beach called McEntarfer’s dismissal “totally groundless” and warned it damages the agency’s mission.
• White House allies including Kevin Hassett defended the firing as necessary for fresh oversight and pledged to nominate a new BLS head.
• Bipartisan economists say politicizing labor statistics threatens public confidence in economic data and could unsettle markets.