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Economists on the left and right criticized E.J. Antoni for misunderstanding the data he would now oversee.
Aug. 12, 2025Updated 4:10 p.m. ET
On Aug. 1, shortly after the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a surprisingly weak employment report, the conservative economist E.J. Antoni joined Steve Bannon’s influential “War Room” podcast.
“Have we put in our own person into B.L.S.?” Mr. Bannon asked Dr. Antoni. “Is a MAGA Republican, that President Trump knows and trusts, are they running the Bureau of Labor Statistics yet?”
“No, unfortunately, Steve, we still haven’t gotten there,” Dr. Antoni replied, going on to say that Erika McEntarfer, the head of the agency, was “incompetent.”
Hours later, Mr. Trump fired Dr. McEntarfer, accusing her, without evidence, of rigging the jobs numbers against him. And on Monday, the president said he would nominate Dr. Antoni to replace her.
“Our Economy is booming, and E.J. will ensure that the Numbers released are HONEST and ACCURATE,” Mr. Trump said on Truth Social.
Economists across the political spectrum reacted with alarm to Dr. Antoni’s appointment — which must still be confirmed by the Senate — saying they worried he would politicize an agency long admired for providing straight-ahead facts on employment, inflation, wages and other critical economic subjects.
