Black Jobless Rate Soars to Highest Since 2021, Deepening Inequality Under Trump

Black unemployment has surged to 7.2% in July—the highest rate since the COVID-19 pandemic began—sparking renewed concerns about economic inequality and the Trump administration’s handling of the economy. “Trump says he’s ‘done more for Black Americans than anyone.’ If pushing Black unemployment to its highest level since 2021 is his idea of progress, we’d hate to see what failure looks like to him,” said Brandon Weathersby, spokesperson for American Bridge 21st Century.

Weathersby accused Trump of prioritizing the wealthy over working-class Americans, saying, “Instead of delivering on his promises to the working class, Trump is handing out tax breaks to billionaires while Black unemployment climbs.” During President Biden’s term, Black unemployment reached a historic low of 5%, highlighting the recent increase under Trump’s leadership.

Trump’s response to poor overall job numbers included a Truth Social post announcing the firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, without evidence, for allegedly manipulating data to benefit Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Meanwhile, his administration touted a 3% GDP growth rate, calling it “above market expectations” and part of his promise to “Make America Wealthy Again.” But some economists warn the broader data suggests a slowing economy and rising inflation.

Angela Hanks of The Century Foundation, a former Labor Department official, pointed to the “chaotic nature” of Trump’s economic policies, especially inconsistent tariffs, as destabilizing. “You can see how a tariff policy that’s on again, off again creates uncertainty for businesses, slows hiring, and will inevitably have a disproportionately negative effect on Black workers,” she said.

Hanks also cited Trump’s $3 trillion budget law—slashing Medicaid, SNAP, and DEI initiatives—as particularly damaging. “Black workers are often last hired, first fired,” she said, warning the rise in Black unemployment could be “a signal that something deeper is going on in the economy.”

She added that cuts to federal jobs—where Black workers are overrepresented—and the elimination of civil rights offices contribute to growing discrimination. “Even if there is not a policy to discriminate, they certainly have created the environment,” she said. “The Trump administration is harming the economy in all of these different ways.”

Link: The Grio