During a recent event in Wisconsin, President Donald Trump made a statement about Black unemployment rates that has drawn attention. He claimed that African American unemployment was performing better than ever before, but immediately questioned the origin of this statistic, saying, “I don’t know where that stat came from, but I’ll take it.”

Unemployment Statistics Under Scrutiny

Federal statistics reveal that the unemployment rate for Black or African Americans was 6.6% in May. This figure, while an improvement from April’s 7.3%, is not a record low. In fact, it is higher than the 6.2% rate recorded in January 2025, the month Trump began his second term, and the 6.1% rate in December 2024, the last full month of Joe Biden’s presidency.

The record low for Black unemployment, since the beginning of the federal dataset in the early 1970s, was 4.8% in April 2023 under Biden. The previous record low was 5.3% during Trump’s first term in August and September 2019. Since Trump’s second term began, the rate has not fallen below 6%.

Context and Response

It remains unclear whether Trump’s statement was an ad-lib or based on prepared remarks. The White House has not responded to requests for clarification on the claim. Historically, the unemployment rate for Black or African Americans has been higher than that of other racial groups, with the overall national unemployment rate at 4.3% in May.

Trump’s Wisconsin event also included other statistical claims that have been previously debunked. The President’s use of such statistics continues to be a point of discussion among political observers and analysts.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.