• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup

2

Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock

3

Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026

1

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup

2

Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock

3

Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
FinanceEconomy

Why Donald Trump Shouldn’t Be Tweet Cheering February’s Good Jobs Report

By
Stephen Gandel
Stephen Gandel
and
Annalyn Kurtz
Annalyn Kurtz
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Stephen Gandel
Stephen Gandel
and
Annalyn Kurtz
Annalyn Kurtz
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 10, 2017, 12:08 PM ET
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

The latest jobs report was strong. You could call it remarkably strong, even. The economy added 235,000 jobs and the unemployment rate remained low.

President Donald Trump’s base of blue-collar workers seemed to fare particularly well.

The report showed that goods-producing sectors added 95,000 jobs, the most in one month since March 2000. Part of those gains is probably due to seasonal factors, like milder than usual winter weather. But even so, hiring by construction firms and manufacturers seemed significant.

Not surprisingly, President Donald Trump was quick to re-tweet a celebratory note from the Drudge Report, touting the numbers as “GREAT AGAIN”.

And in an interview on CNBC, one of his top economic advisors, Gary Cohn, said the report “reaffirms everything that we’re trying to do.”

But while the latest hiring numbers are indisputably positive, it could be a YUGE mistake for the White House to celebrate those gains.

(Related: The White House Is Celebrating Jobs Numbers President Trump Used to Call ‘Phony’)

First, remember, on the campaign trail, Trump didn’t trust those “phony” statistics and neither did his base. Why should that stop now?

Second, it’s far too soon for Trump to take credit for gains in the job market. The stronger hiring began well before his inauguration during Barack Obama’s presidency. Likewise, many of the big jobs announcements Trump likes to take credit for, like those made by Exxon Mobil earlier this month, stem from plans made long before the 2016 election.

And third, Trump’s plans for economic stimulus, including regulatory and tax reform and infrastructure spending, depends partly on his ability to continue selling the message that the American economy is still a “disaster.”

If the economy is indeed near full employment, what’s the rush to push through more stimulative policies that could perhaps lead the economy to overheat?

Instead, don’t be surprised if you soon see Trump return to one of the alternative employment measures he cited on the campaign trail, which still shows 40% of Americans over age 16 are not working.

Known as the employment-population ratio, this is a broader measure of the U.S. population that includes not only the traditional workforce, but also Americans who simply do not want to work. It currently shows 60% of the population, over age 16, is working, and the reverse, 40%, are not.

Now to be clear, this is a misleading metric, and economists would argue it was ill-advised for Trump ever to focus on it. But as we know, Trump doesn’t take advice from traditionalists.

The problem with it is that a large portion of the unemployed included in the 40% number are people like retirees, stay-at-home parents, and, most ridiculously, even full-time high school students. In contrast, the traditional unemployment rate measures only the population that wants to work, and that’s why it’s considered a more relevant depiction of the economy.

But at the same time, it’s unfair to say that Trump’s preferred unemployment rate is completely bogus. His rate does capture some Americans who have been left out of the current recovery, have been on the losing end in the jobs market to free trade, as well as technology, and have been largely ignored, and marginalized, by Washington. These are the voters Trump rallied in the election, and who overwhelming voted for him for the White House. They did better in February’s jobs report, but are still largely on the sidelines of the U.S. workforce.

And that’s why Trump cheering his first jobs report, even a good one that happened completely under his presidency, is a big risk. Cheer too loudly from the White House and Trump risks turning off the very people who sent him there.

About the Authors
By Stephen Gandel
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By Annalyn Kurtz
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Finance

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Finance

Current refi mortgage rates report for June 24, 2026
Personal FinanceReal Estate
Current refi mortgage rates report for June 24, 2026
By Glen Luke FlanaganJune 24, 2026
2 hours ago
Current ARM mortgage rates report for June 24, 2026
Personal FinanceReal Estate
Current ARM mortgage rates report for June 24, 2026
By Glen Luke FlanaganJune 24, 2026
2 hours ago
Now she’s worth $200 million. But Sarah Jessica Parker says being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ growing up created her work ethic
SuccessCareer Advice
Now she’s worth $200 million. But Sarah Jessica Parker says being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ growing up created her work ethic
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 24, 2026
2 hours ago
Mortgage rates today, June 24, 2026
Personal Financemortgages
Mortgage rates today, June 24, 2026
By Glen Luke FlanaganJune 24, 2026
2 hours ago
Trump, Rubio, and Hegseth sit next to each other at a dark wooden table.
EconomyIran
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion,but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
By Jacqueline MunisJune 24, 2026
2 hours ago
MSCI delays Indonesia’s market status review until November
AsiaIndonesia
MSCI delays Indonesia’s market status review until November
By Prima Wirayani, Bernadette Toh and BloombergJune 23, 2026
7 hours ago

Most Popular

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
Success
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 23, 2026
21 hours ago
Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock
Banking
Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock
By Jim EdwardsJune 23, 2026
23 hours ago
Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 23, 2026
21 hours ago
Meet the 2 men putting New York's $300 billion pension fund in play for the first time in 20 years
Investing
Meet the 2 men putting New York's $300 billion pension fund in play for the first time in 20 years
By Nick LichtenbergJune 22, 2026
2 days ago
Former U.S. Secret Service agent says bringing your authentic self to work stifles teamwork: 'You don’t get high performers, you get sloppiness'
Success
Former U.S. Secret Service agent says bringing your authentic self to work stifles teamwork: 'You don’t get high performers, you get sloppiness'
By Sydney LakeJune 21, 2026
3 days ago
Texas and Charlotte used to build huge McMansions—now they're copying the California design tricks they once mocked
Real Estate
Texas and Charlotte used to build huge McMansions—now they're copying the California design tricks they once mocked
By Sydney LakeJune 22, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.