At a recent event in Wisconsin, President Donald Trump made a statement about Black unemployment rates that even he questioned. Trump claimed that African American unemployment was at its best levels ever, though he admitted uncertainty about the origin of this statistic. “I don’t know where that stat came from, but I’ll take it,” he remarked.

Unemployment Data Context

Federal statistics indicate that the unemployment rate for Black or African Americans was 6.6% in May. This figure represents a decrease from 7.3% in April and 8.2% in November of the previous year. However, it remains higher than the 6.2% rate in January 2025, when Trump began his second term, and the 6.1% rate in December 2024, the last month of former President Joe Biden’s administration.

The record low for Black unemployment, according to federal data starting in the early 1970s, was 4.8% in April 2023 under Biden. The previous record low of 5.3% occurred during Trump’s first term in August and September 2019. Since Trump’s return to office, the rate has not fallen below 6%.

Broader Economic Context

Overall, the national unemployment rate stood at 4.3% in May. Historically, the unemployment rate for Black or African Americans has been higher than that of other racial groups under various administrations.

Trump’s comments in Wisconsin included other statistical claims that have been previously debunked, though he did not question those aloud. The White House has yet to provide clarification on the unemployment claim, despite requests from media outlets.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.