In a striking parallel to historical authoritarian tactics, President Donald Trump’s recent dismissal of Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and his nomination of E. J. Antoni as her replacement signal a dangerous shift toward the manipulation of economic data for political gain. McEntarfer, a highly qualified economist with bipartisan Senate confirmation and a robust record of publications, was ousted for producing statistics perceived as unfavorable—a move reminiscent of dictatorships where „bad numbers” are suppressed to maintain the illusion of prosperity. In contrast, Antoni, whose credentials are notably thin with only one scholarly publication and documented misunderstandings of basic economic concepts, was selected based on loyalty and ideological alignment with Trump’s MAGA movement. This appointment risks undermining the credibility of U.S. economic data, which is foundational to global investment decisions, Federal Reserve policies, and public trust.
The consequences of such politicization are severe and well-documented in authoritarian regimes worldwide. Research, such as that by economist Luis Martinez using satellite imagery, has shown that dictators frequently overstate GDP growth by significant margins—sometimes up to 35%—to create a facade of economic success. Similarly, in Rwanda, claims of poverty reduction under Paul Kagame were debunked by independent studies revealing actual increases in poverty. When statistical integrity is compromised, investors lose confidence, capital flees, and long-term economic stability is jeopardized. The immediate market reaction to Antoni’s nomination—a drop in the dollar’s value after Fox News highlighted his desire to eliminate monthly jobs reports—underscores how perceived political interference can trigger real financial repercussions.
Looking ahead, the integrity of the BLS and similar institutions is crucial for informed decision-making in a functioning democracy. While Antoni may face challenges in directly manipulating complex data due to institutional safeguards, his role could still inflict damage by providing misleading narratives that fuel political agendas. Economists and experts, including conservatives like Stan Veuger of the American Enterprise Institute, have expressed alarm over the nomination, emphasizing that Antoni lacks the qualifications to uphold the nonpartisan standards essential for economic governance. As history shows, from Potemkin villages to modern-day autocrats, fabricated realities eventually crumble, leaving economies vulnerable. The U.S. must safeguard its statistical institutions to prevent erosion of global trust and ensure that economic policies are based on reality, not myth.
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.
Forrás: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/08/trump-bls-antoni/683858/.