Donald Trump’s economy is hemorrhaging jobs — and his disastrous policies have put the American dream further out of reach and disproportionately hurt Black families and communities. From countless layoffs to mass federal government firings, Trump is ripping away Black Americans’ access to stable, good-paying jobs and pushing millions of people into unemployment and underemployment. 

Yesterday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its delayed jobs report for January, revealing that there were only 181,000 jobs added in all of 2025 — making it the worst year for job growth since 2003, excluding recessions. 

In response, U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks released the following statement: 

“This Administration said they would make our lives better. Well, that was a big fat lie, and yesterday’s job report confirms it. The number one thing I hear about is how unaffordable our country is becoming, thanks to the failed policies of this Administration. It is paramount that we take back the House and Senate, so we can try and right some of the dreadful economic policies pursued by this Administration.”

Just one year into his term, Trump’s economic policies have been a disaster for Black Americans’ livelihoods. As Black unemployment climbed to its highest rate in nearly five years, wages have decreased, and Black women have borne the brunt of Trump’s economic failures, while unemployment for Black men has risen under Trump’s watch as well. 

• Black unemployment rose from 6.2% to 7.2% under Trump, nearly the highest level since October 2021. 
• Under Trump, the average unemployment rate for Black women rose from 5.6% (2024) to 6.7% (2025), and for Black men, the unemployment rate increased from 6.3% (2024) to 7.1% (2025).

Black women have been especially hard hit by Trump’s mass federal layoffs, and have seen their unemployment rate rise from 5.4% to 6.3%. Black Americans are fed up with Trump’s harmful economic policies:

• Only 9% of Black voters approved of Trump’s handling of the economy and jobs.  
• More than half of Black Americans feel the economy is in a recession.