Tangle Podcast Summary: “Trump's Controversial Nominee to Lead BLS”
Host: Isaac Saul
Date: August 20, 2025
Podcast Theme: Independent, non-partisan political news and analysis
Overview
In this episode, Tangle dives into the fallout and controversy surrounding President Donald Trump’s nomination of economist E.J. Antoni, formerly of the Heritage Foundation, to head the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The discussion covers Trump's motivations for firing the previous commissioner after a disappointing jobs report, the heated arguments from both left and right over Antoni’s qualifications and political tilt, and the broader implications for the reliability and neutrality of national economic data.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Setting the Stage: The Controversial Nomination
[02:03 - 08:30]
- President Trump fired BLS Commissioner Erica McIntarfer after the July jobs report showed weaker figures than expected, and he accused the BLS of “rigging” the numbers (without offering evidence).
- Trump’s pick to replace McIntarfer is E.J. Antoni, Heritage Foundation chief economist, who has criticized BLS data, advocated for suspending monthly jobs reports, disparaged Social Security and the Federal Reserve, and pushed for a return to the gold standard.
Notable Quote:
“Our economy is booming and EJ will ensure that the numbers released are honest and accurate... I know EJ Antoni will do an incredible job in his new role. Congratulations.”
— President Trump on Truth Social [08:30]
Additional Context:
- Antoni must be confirmed by the Senate.
- Video surfaced of Antoni at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, though the White House claims he was just a bystander.
- Former Obama adviser Jason Furman criticized the pick as “completely unqualified” and “an extreme partisan” [10:40].
2. The Left’s Perspective: Concerns About Politicization & Qualifications
[13:42 - 16:45]
Main Arguments:
- Antoni is slammed as unqualified, lacking direct labor economics or statistical expertise.
- The left fears he will become a Trump loyalist more interested in narrative than data accuracy.
- There’s concern that the mere perception of politicization at BLS could be as damaging as actual data manipulation.
Notable Quotes:
- “Antony’s only remote qualification for the job is a dogged commitment to the administration’s fanciful interpretation of leading economic indicators...”
— Chris Lehman, The Nation [14:02] - “Looking at Antoni's record, the answer seems obvious... he has also openly derided the bls. The L is silent, he wrote on X last year.”
— John Cassidy, The New Yorker [15:10] - “Antony doesn't have to manipulate any data to undermine the reliability of the government's economic statistics. That damage might already have been done.”
— Egan Reich, The Atlantic [16:24]
Left’s Key Worries:
- Threat to BLS credibility and to the trust of businesses and workers who supply vital data.
- Undermining institutional foundations of American financial confidence and global economic standing.
3. The Right’s Perspective: Mixed Views, Reform or Lackey?
[16:45 - 22:03]
Arguments in Favor:
- Some praise Antoni as an early critic of post-pandemic BLS data shortcomings; they see detail revisions as evidence of a systemic issue—not partisanship.
- Argument that conservatives face institutional barriers which explain the “elite credentials” gap.
Notable Quotes:
- “Antoni’s expertise and dedication to reform make him the ideal candidate to ensure Americans can once again trust what the numbers say.”
— Alfredo Ortiz, Daily Caller [17:44]
Arguments Against:
- Others on the right worry his nomination signals the creation of a “Bureau of MAGA statistics” and argue Antoni lacks serious research experience in economic statistics.
- The concern is that Antoni is a partisan booster without the technical chops for the job.
- Some fear that revising methodologies for political reasons could result in understated inflation, impacting taxpayers and public trust.
Notable Quotes:
- “He has demonstrated time and again that he does not understand economic statistics. Whether that is due to willful misinterpretation or ignorance... the pattern is undeniable.”
— Dominic Pino, National Review [18:30] - “If he uses his role to develop alternative economic measures for political purposes, taxpayers will feel the effect.”
— Daniel Bunn & Kyle Pomerlow, Wall Street Journal [20:56]
4. Isaac Saul’s Take: Undermining Data for Political Gain
[22:03 - 29:52]
Summary of Saul’s Analysis:
- Saul contends that BLS’s biggest challenge is declining data collection, not partisan bias.
- Trump is “creating another problem” by seeking someone who will deliver numbers more favorable to him, not necessarily more accurate.
- The process of producing employment data is a balance of timeliness and accuracy, and for decades, the BLS’s system has worked well.
- Saul dismisses Trump’s claim of jobs data being “rigged,” explaining that data revisions happen in both directions under Democratic and Republican presidents alike.
Notable Quotes:
- “President Trump is not solving one problem, he is creating another. He does not want more accurate job numbers. He wants job numbers that look more favorable for him.”
— Isaac Saul [22:14] - “Antoni was a January 6th attendee and a Project 2025 contributor whose feed is a fire hose of the most sycophantic commentary imaginable.”
— Isaac Saul [24:31] - “The appointment will justifiably undermine trust in an agency responsible for crucial economic reports...”
— Isaac Saul [28:28]
Additional Commentary:
- Isaac suggests that institutional resistance, business sector pressure, and Senate oversight could limit the actual impact of Antoni’s tenure.
- Predicts the real damage may be to public perception and trust, rather than to the data itself.
Important Timestamps & Notable Segments
- [02:03] – Introduction to the episode, Trump’s firing of McIntarfer and Antoni’s nomination.
- [08:30] – Details on Antoni’s background and controversial statements.
- [13:42] – What the left is saying: qualifications, politicization.
- [16:45] – What the right is saying: reform vs. partisanship; intra-right divides.
- [22:03] – Isaac’s take: critique of Trump’s motivations, defense of BLS’s traditional methodology.
- [29:52] – Listener question: How is the poverty rate determined?
- [32:49] – “Under the Radar” story segment (UK-Apple encryption story).
Memorable Quotes
- President Trump (Truth Social): “Our economy is booming and EJ will ensure that the numbers released are honest and accurate...I know EJ Antony will do an incredible job in his new role. Congratulations.” [08:30]
- Chris Lehman (The Nation): “Antony’s only remote qualification for the job is a dogged commitment to the administration’s fanciful interpretation of leading economic indicators...” [14:02]
- Dominic Pino (National Review): “He has demonstrated time and again that he does not understand economic statistics...” [18:30]
- Isaac Saul: “President Trump is not solving one problem, he is creating another. He does not want more accurate job numbers. He wants job numbers that look more favorable for him.” [22:14]
- Isaac Saul: “The appointment will justifiably undermine trust in an agency responsible for crucial economic reports that the entire government and many private sector leaders rely on to make decisions.” [28:28]
Listener Q&A: Federal Poverty Rate
[29:52 - 32:49]
- Explains the three methods for determining poverty in the US: the official Census metric, the supplemental poverty measure (which accounts for additional factors like childcare), and the functional/ALICE rate calculated by nonprofits.
- Points out how wider measures like United Way’s ALICE standard suggest as many as 42% of US households are “functionally” poor.
Closing Notes
The episode presents a balanced look at the heated debate over Trump’s BLS pick, highlighting both the technical and political risks of installing a partisan with limited direct qualifications in a role crucial to public trust in economic data. While some see the nomination as an overdue shakeup or a correction of systemic flaws, most analysts—left and right—see it as a threat to the apolitical integrity of a foundational economic institution.
For more information and to support Tangle’s independent coverage, visit readtangle.com