White House spins rosy take on weak July jobs data as economy cools

July’s jobs data showed a 23,000 payroll drop and a 4.1% unemployment rate helped by a falling labor-force participation rate, a sign of weak growth and wage pressure. White House economists, notably Kevin Hassett, pushed a “booming economy” narrative with disputed numbers, while critics say the reality is stagnant hiring compared with Biden’s earlier gains and pre-Great Recession benchmarks. The piece contends the administration is offering excuses or optimistic spin rather than addressing the underlying economic softness.