In a significant development for the American workforce, U.S. Treasury Department Secretary Scott Bessent has revealed that "real wages" for blue-collar workers have experienced a notable increase of nearly two percent during the initial five months of President Donald Trump's administration.
This announcement underscores the impact of the administration's economic policies on the working class, a demographic often at the heart of political discourse.
As reported by American Military News, Bessent took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share a Treasury Department chart illustrating a 1.7% rise in real wages for blue-collar workers since President Trump's inauguration in January. This data positions Trump as the only president since Richard Nixon in 1969 to achieve positive wage growth for blue-collar workers within the first five months of an administration.
The chart further highlights a 1.3% increase in blue-collar wages during Trump's first term, in stark contrast to a 1.7% decline during Joe Biden's presidency. Bessent attributed this success to the administration's "pro-growth, America First policies," which he claims have made President Trump a formidable ally for hardworking Americans and Main Street businesses.
In a conversation with The New York Post's Miranda Devine on the "Pod Force One" podcast, Bessent elaborated on the unprecedented wage growth, stating, "The only other time its been this high was during President Trumps first term." He emphasized that the nearly 2% rise in real wages for hourly, non-supervisory workers is unparalleled, asserting, "No president has done that before."
The Treasury Secretary attributed the surge in blue-collar wages to President Trump's focus on revitalizing the manufacturing sector. This emphasis, coupled with a stringent approach to illegal immigration, has reportedly led to millions of illegal immigrants "coming out of the workforce."
Bessent argued that this crackdown has alleviated wage pressure on American workers, contrasting it with the policies of the Biden administration. "Joe Biden opened the border, and it was flooded," Bessent remarked, adding, "And for working Americans, thats a disaster because its pressure on their wages."
The narrative of rising wages under President Trump's leadership is further supported by Bessent's assertion on social media, where he reiterated, "We've seen real wages for hourly workers, non-supervisory workers, rise almost 2% in the first five months. No president has done that before."
This development raises questions about the broader implications of immigration policies and economic strategies on wage growth and employment opportunities for American workers.
As the nation continues to navigate complex economic challenges, the focus on policies that prioritize domestic growth and job creation remains a pivotal aspect of the political landscape. The administration's approach to these issues will likely continue to be a topic of debate and analysis in the months to come.
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