Job growth in May once again topped expectations, adding 139,000 new positions across the American economy. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, according to the latest report released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most of the gains came from the private sector, while government employment took a hit.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the numbers, crediting President Trump’s economic leadership. “President Trump’s America First Economic Agenda has created a BOOMING economy — jobs are up, unemployment is down, wages are increasing, and inflation is dead,” she said on social media. “More than 139,000 good jobs were added to the private sector in May, all accounted for by American-born workers. Americans should continue to Trust in President Trump, who continues to beat expectations.”
The Dow Jones had projected a gain of 125,000 jobs, so the actual figure came in stronger than forecasted. Last month also exceeded expectations, although it was later revised down by 30,000 jobs. This steady growth has bolstered claims that Trump’s policies are revitalizing the labor market.
Leading the gains were health care, which added 62,000 jobs, followed by leisure and hospitality with 48,000, and social assistance with 16,000. The federal government, on the other hand, shed 22,000 jobs. Other sectors, including retail, construction, and manufacturing, showed little to no change compared to April.
Wages also continued to rise. Average hourly earnings increased by 15 cents, bringing the total to $36.24 in May. This signals continued momentum for workers benefiting from the tighter labor market.
Job Creators Network CEO Alfredo Ortiz said the report reflects a shift away from the Biden-era economy. “The small business economy is growing and the private economy is growing. This is exactly what Donald Trump wanted to do for reversing everything that Biden had done,” Ortiz said. “It’s so good to see that we’re actually creating private economy jobs again.”
The stock market surged on the news. The S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Dow Jones all jumped more than one percent after the report was released. Investors responded positively to the strong labor numbers and rising wages.
Trump himself celebrated the news online. “GREAT JOB NUMBERS, STOCK MARKET UP BIG! AT THE SAME TIME, BILLIONS POURING IN FROM TARIFFS!!!” he wrote on Truth Social. In follow-up posts, he praised the economic recovery and called on the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates.
“AMERICA IS HOT! SIX MONTHS AGO IT WAS COLD AS ICE! BORDER IS CLOSED, PRICES ARE DOWN. WAGES ARE UP!” Trump added. He also criticized the Fed’s inaction, warning that delaying cuts could cost the country dearly. “If ‘Too Late’ at the Fed would CUT, we would greatly reduce interest rates, long and short, on debt that is coming due. Biden went mostly short term,” he wrote. “There is virtually no inflation (anymore), but if it should come back, RAISE ‘RATE’ TO COUNTER. Very Simple!!! He is costing our Country a fortune. Borrowing costs should be MUCH LOWER!!!”