Kamala Harris Calls Out Trump’s Role in Pre-Pandemic Job Decline

I don't know who this is. Woman speaking at a podium.

Vice President Kamala Harris faces scrutiny over her claims about manufacturing job losses under Trump’s presidency.

At a Glance

Harris cited a figure of 200,000 manufacturing jobs lost before the pandemic under Trump
Fact-checkers found the actual pre-pandemic job loss was around 48,000
The 200,000 figure more closely represents losses during Trump’s entire presidency
Harris aims to challenge Trump’s perceived economic advantage among voters
PolitiFact rated Harris’ statement as “Mostly False”

Harris’ Claims and Fact-Check Results

In a recent television interview, Vice President Kamala Harris made a bold claim about manufacturing job losses under former President Donald Trump’s administration. Harris stated that nearly 200,000 manufacturing jobs were lost before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. However, fact-checkers have found this assertion to be an exaggeration of the actual numbers.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the manufacturing sector lost approximately 48,000 jobs from January 2019 to February 2020, just before the pandemic’s impact was felt. This figure is significantly lower than the 200,000 job losses Harris claimed. The larger number cited by the Vice President more accurately represents the net losses for Trump’s entire presidency, which totaled about 178,000 jobs.

The Broader Economic Picture

While Harris’ specific claim about pre-pandemic job losses was deemed inaccurate, it’s important to note that U.S. manufacturing did experience a downturn before the COVID-19 crisis. Economic indicators show that both job and output measurements in the manufacturing sector began declining in early 2019, partly due to the ongoing trade war with China.

The Harris campaign later referenced a more accurate statement made earlier, acknowledging that nearly 200,000 manufacturing jobs were lost during Trump’s presidency, starting before the pandemic and continuing through it. This clarification provides a more comprehensive picture of the manufacturing sector’s performance during Trump’s term.

Harris’ Economic Vision

In response to the fact-check controversy, Vice President Harris has been actively promoting her economic agenda, contrasting it with Trump’s policies. In a recent speech in Pennsylvania, Harris emphasized her middle-class upbringing and criticized Trump’s “gilded path to wealth.” She outlined a three-pillar economic plan focusing on lowering costs, investing in American innovation, and leading in future industries.

Harris’ proposals include down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, increased small business startup tax credits, and a child tax credit. She also plans to cut taxes for middle-class families and individuals, aiming to address housing costs by increasing supply and building 3 million new homes and rentals.

The Political Implications

The Vice President’s focus on manufacturing job losses and her broader economic message are part of a strategy to challenge Trump’s perceived advantage on economic issues among voters. Recent polls indicate that more voters currently trust Trump over Harris on economic matters, making this a critical battleground for the upcoming election.

As both Harris and Trump continue to present their economic visions to the American people, voters will need to carefully consider the accuracy of claims made by both sides and evaluate the potential impact of their proposed policies on the nation’s economic future.