President Trump is holding a press conference on the jobs numbers, as unemployment declined slightly in May, falling to 13.3% as the economy showed signs of recovering from nationwide coronavirus shutdowns.
Employers added 2.5 million jobs last month, the Labor Department said Friday, after April marked the biggest hit to the labor market since records started to be kept in 1948.
But black unemployment rose to 16.8% in May, in a month the president declared a “tribute to equality” as the nation protests racial discrimination and police brutality.
The president forecasted a positive summer, ahead of what’s sure to be an uphill reelection battle in November.
“I think you’re going to have a very good August, maybe July. Maybe a spectacular September,” Mr. Trump said.
How to watch Trump’s press conference today
- What: President Donald Trump holds press conference on jobs numbers
- Date: Friday, June 5, 2020
- Time: 10 a.m. ET
- Location: The White House
- Online stream: Live on CBSN – in the player above and on your mobile or streaming device
The president is scheduled to leave for Maine later Friday morning. He is visiting a facility that makes specialized swabs for coronavirus testing.
