Facebook Twitter Tumblr Close Skip to main content
A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Tim Scott’s False and Misleading Claims About Unemployment

Tim Scott’s False and Misleading Claims About Unemployment

Republican Sen. Tim Scott has claimed that African Americans, Hispanics and Asians all had their lowest unemployment rate under former President Donald Trump. But the lowest unemployment rate on record for African Americans was under President Joe Biden, and the lowest unemployment rate for Hispanics was the same under both presidents.

Biden Cherry-Picks Unemployment Record

Biden Cherry-Picks Unemployment Record

In recent speeches touting so-called Bidenomics, President Joe Biden has repeatedly cited the statistic that “unemployment has been below 4% for the longest stretch in over 50 years.” That’s true, but there’s some cherry-picking going on.

Biden’s Misleading Unemployment Statistic

Biden’s Misleading Unemployment Statistic

At the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ winter meeting, President Joe Biden left the false impression that unemployment declined by more than 16 million people on his watch, when the decline was under 5 million.

COVID-19 Vaccines Were Available Before Biden Took Office, Contrary to False Tweet

COVID-19 Vaccines Were Available Before Biden Took Office, Contrary to False Tweet

When Joe Biden was sworn in as president, two COVID-19 vaccines had already been authorized and millions of people nationwide had been vaccinated against the disease. But in a May 12 tweet touting economic progress made under Biden, the White House falsely claimed that “there was no vaccine available” at the time he was inaugurated.

Both Sides Spinning Jobs Report

Both Sides Spinning Jobs Report

The recently released jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics provided an opportunity for Democrats and Republicans alike to spin the facts in their favor.