Today’s terrible jobs report comes amidst headlines warning of an economic slow down – and confirms recent data showing a weakening economy. Newly revised data for the spring show that previous months’ job gains were far lower than initially reported. In fact, the economy has only gained 106,000 jobs since April. Women have gained a mere 121,000 jobs over the last quarter, while men have actually lost 15,000 jobs.
The slowing economy since April has been driven by losses in manufacturing, professional and business services, and the federal government, reflecting chaotic tariff policies and the disastrous attack on public servants. Women’s meager job growth has been buoyed by gains in the health care industry – a sector that has been relatively strong in 2025 so far but that is now likely to see cuts in the wake of the Republican spending bill.
Certain groups of workers are particularly bearing the brunt of the Trump Slump. The unemployment rate for Black workers hit 7.2 percent last month, and Black women’s unemployment rate rose to 6.3 percent – the groups’ highest rates since the fall of 2021. Unemployment among single moms has climbed to the highest rate in nearly four years at 6.5 percent in July, showing the increasing challenges women workers and caregivers are facing in the Trump economy. Meanwhile, a quarter of unemployed workers were out of work for six months or longer in July, the highest share in nearly 3.5 years. Our faltering labor market is clearly keeping workers on the sidelines.
Today’s data are the result of Trump’s terrible policies – and this week is no exception. Trump is pursuing disastrous tariffs that are wreaking havoc on businesses, workers and the stock market. This economic pain and confusion will be compounded by the Republicans’ spending bill, signed into law earlier this month, which will strip health insurance and nutrition assistance from millions of Americans in order to give tax breaks to billionaires.
President Trump’s and his fellow Republicans’ policies are devastating the economy and the country – and it’s only going to get worse. We must continue to fight back for women and families.
