Trump Fires BLS Chief, American Eagle Defends Sweeney Ads, LA Wildfires Funds Stalled: AM Update 8/4

Summary

The Megyn Kelly Show – Episode Summary Title: Trump Fires BLS Chief, American Eagle Defends Sweeney Ads, LA Wildfires Funds Stalled: AM Update 8/4
Release Date: August 4, 2025
Host: Megyn Kelly
Platform: SiriusXM

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1. Presidential Shake-Up: Trump Fires Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner

Overview: In a decisive move, President Donald Trump terminated the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Commissioner, Dr. Erica McInterfer, citing concerns over the accuracy and objectivity of recent job reports. This decision follows significant revisions of job numbers that have altered the perception of the U.S. employment landscape.

Key Points:

• Job Report Revisions: The latest job report for July indicated an addition of 73,000 jobs, which was 27,000 fewer than expected. Additionally, May and June figures were revised downward by a combined 258,000 jobs—the most substantial monthly revision since May 2020.

• Presidential Statement: President Trump addressed the firing through two critical posts on Truth Social:

  • "I was just informed that our country's jobs numbers are being produced by a Biden appointee, Dr. Erica McInterfer, the commissioner of Labor Statistics who faked the job numbers before the election to try and boost Kamala's chances of victory." [Timestamp: 03:15]
  • "This latest revision won in a series of large monthly and annual adjustments sparked by the COVID pandemic, which contributed to delayed reporting in August 2024. An annual revision showing the bureau had overstated the number of jobs created by the Biden administration from March 2023 to March 2024 by more than 800,000 over a 12 month period." [Timestamp: 03:45]

• Expert Commentary:

  • Larry Summers (Former Director of Obama's National Economic Council): Criticizes the action as a sign of democracy veering towards authoritarianism.

    "This is the stuff of democracies giving way to authoritarianism. Firing statisticians goes with threatening the heads of newspapers... This is really scary stuff." [Timestamp: 04:46]

  • Kevin Hassett (Director of the National Economic Council): Justifies the firing by pointing to systemic flaws in data collection exacerbated by COVID.

    "We either got incompetence or we got partisanship and either way it was absolutely appropriate for President Trump to clean house at the BLS." [Timestamp: 06:52]

  • William Wiatrowski (Former BLS Commissioner): Highlights the unprecedented nature of the job number revisions and the dangers of inaccurate data.

    "Over the last few years... the typical monthly revision often was bigger than the number itself." [Timestamp: 05:28]

Outcome: William Wiatrowski will serve as the acting commissioner until a permanent replacement is appointed on August 6. The situation has sparked debates on the integrity of economic data and the potential politicization of federal institutions.

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2. American Eagle’s Sydney Sweeney Ad Campaign Under Fire

Overview: American Eagle (AE) launched a new ad campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney, promoting their "Great Jeans." The campaign has ignited controversy, especially among left-leaning audiences who have accused the brand of endorsing discriminatory ideals.

Key Points:

• Ad Campaign Details: The advertisement showcases Sydney Sweeney, an acclaimed actress, emphasizing the quality and appeal of AE’s jeans.

• Public Backlash: Critics on the left have labeled the campaign as racist and promoting eugenics, arguing that featuring a "beautiful blonde woman with white skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes" excludes and marginalizes other demographics.

• American Eagle’s Response: Despite the backlash, AE remains steadfast in their messaging.

  "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans and always was about the jeans, her jeans, her story. We will continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence. Their way great jeans look great on everyone." [Timestamp: 07:41]

• Political Reactions:

  • J.D. Vance (Vice President): Suggests that the backlash is politically motivated and benefits the GOP.
  • Chris Wallace (Political Commentator): Criticizes Democrats for overreacting to a standard marketing campaign.

    "It's like you guys did you learn nothing from the November 2024 election?... That's how you're going to win the midterms, especially young American men." [Timestamp: 08:48]

• Campaign Continuation: AE continued promoting the campaign on social media, including recent posts highlighting "blue jeans for summer Sundays" with positive reception from supporters.

• Consumer Feedback:

  • A top comment on AE’s Instagram read: "Trolling the crybabies," reflecting support from certain customer segments.

Conclusion: American Eagle stands by its campaign, emphasizing inclusivity and confidence in their products, while facing significant criticism from specific political and social groups. The controversy underscores the challenging balance brands face in diverse and polarized markets.

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3. LA Wildfires: Fundraising Skepticism and Misallocated Aid

Overview: Following devastating wildfires in LA that destroyed over 11,000 homes and caused significant loss of life and property, a high-profile benefit concert was organized, raising an estimated $100 million. However, months later, concerns have arisen regarding the allocation and transparency of these funds.

Key Points:

• Wildfire Impact: In January, the Eaton fire in Altadena and the Palisades fire in the Pacific Palisades resulted in over 18,000 structures damaged or destroyed, 31 fatalities, and extensive displacement, with damages estimated at $250 billion.

• Benefit Concert: Hosted on January 31, the concert featured stars like Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and Stevie Wonder, and was promoted as a direct relief effort for wildfire victims.

• Raised Funds: Approximately $100 million was pledged through the event, intended for immediate and long-term aid.

• Post-Concert Scrutiny:

  • Independent Investigation by Sue Pasco:

    • Challenge: Questions arose when locals sought assistance, discovering that funds were not directly accessible to individuals but channeled through nonprofits.
    • Findings: Pasco revealed that many grant recipients had minimal or no direct connections to wildfire victims.

      "How is this money going to the victims?" [Timestamp: 12:44]

    • Grant Distribution: Over 160 organizations received funds, including some unaffiliated with fire relief, such as food banks and unrelated community groups.
    • Lack of Transparency: Most organizations did not respond to inquiries about fund usage.

  • Official Statements:

    • Fire Aid Response: Clarified that funds were allocated through vetted nonprofits and denied direct aid to individuals.

      "We have to stop all this misinformation that's going on... Each grant recipient was first checked out by Goldman Sachs's GS Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund to ensure its good standing." [Timestamp: 14:30]

    • Legal Review: Fire Aid has engaged Latham & Watkins to review the grant-making process and plans audits by KPMG by December.

  • Political Repercussions:

    • President Trump: Labeled the fund distribution as a "total disaster" and a "Democrat-inspired scam" following Pasco’s report.
    • Republican Congressman Kevin Kiely: Sent a letter to California’s Attorney General Pam Bondi urging an investigation.

  • Local Impact: Reports indicate that as of July, out of 11,000 destroyed homes, less than 200 homeowners have obtained rebuilding permits, highlighting inefficiencies and potential mismanagement.

Conclusion: The initial success of the wildfire benefit concert has been overshadowed by allegations of misallocation and lack of transparency in fund distribution. Independent journalist Sue Pasco’s investigation has sparked calls for official inquiries to ensure that the aid reaches the intended victims effectively. The situation continues to develop as political figures and local authorities respond to the growing discontent.

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Final Remarks

Megyn Kelly concludes the AM Update by emphasizing the ongoing issues surrounding federal data transparency, corporate accountability in marketing, and the critical need for effective disaster relief. Listeners are encouraged to stay informed and engage with trusted sources to navigate these complex topics.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• President Trump on BLS Firing:

  "We need accurate jobs numbers... I have directed my team to fire this Biden political appointee immediately." [03:45]

• Larry Summers on Threats to Democracy:

  "This is really scary stuff." [04:46]

• Kevin Hassett on Data Flaws:

  "We either got incompetence or we got partisanship and either way it was absolutely appropriate for President Trump to clean house at the BLS." [06:52]

• Sue Pasco on Fire Aid Mismanagement:

  "Why couldn't they give cash to the victims? There's no reason." [15:49]

• Chris Wallace on AE Campaign Backlash:

  "That's how you're going to win the midterms, especially young American men." [08:48]

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Resources Mentioned:

• Riverbend Ranch: riverbendranch.com | Promo Code: MEGAN for $20 off
• Fire Aid: fireaidla.org

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For an in-depth analysis and continuous updates, tune into The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM Triumph Channel 111 at noon Eastern, or follow along on YouTube at YouTube.com/MegynKelly and all major podcast platforms.

Transcript

[Megyn Kelly]

When work gets crazy, I like to.

[Larry Summers]

Stop by the bar after, have a few cold ones.

[Megyn Kelly]

I don't drink at all until 4 o'. Clock.

[Sue Pasco]

We limit ourselves to one bottle of wine a night.

[Peter Navarro]

Excessive drinking has a way of sneaking up on us. A few drinks, a few nights a week, it can add up and suddenly we're at greater risk for long term problems like heart disease, cancer and depression. Reason enough to rethink the drink. More [e-mail] Noha Initiative.

[Megyn Kelly]

Good morning everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Monday, August 4th, 2025 and this is your AM update.

[Kevin Hassett]

We either got incompetence or we got partisanship and either way it was absolutely appropriate for President Trump to clean house.

[Megyn Kelly]

President Trump fires his Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner following several dramatic jobs report revisions, citing the need for objectivity and trust. American Eagle doubles down on its Sydney Sweeney has Great Jeans ad campaign despite intensely negative reactions from many on the crazy left.

[Sue Pasco]

I said, how do people apply for it? And he said, people don't apply for it. It's going to nonprofits. This is not for individuals.

[Megyn Kelly]

Months after the massive celebrity benefit concert for LA Wildfire victims, many locals are wondering, where's the money? All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update. I've been talking a lot about Riverbend Ranch steaks lately, and for good reason. The ranch is just a few miles from West Yellowstone, Montana, where we go in the wintertime, and their steaks are so flavorful and surprisingly tender, even someone like me who does not know how to cook can make it taste delicious. It's thanks to the quality of the beef. A lot of our listeners have been writing in sharing similar feedback. Abigail Finan will not stop talking about Riverbend Ranch and I feel the same. So these guys raise Angus cattle, but they've taken it even further. For 35 years now, more than three decades, the owner has selectively bred Angus cattle with superior genetics for marbling and tenderness. It's all about the marbling and the tenderness, creating a herd that truly stands out. Their beef is born, raised and processed too entirely inside America without artificial growth hormones or antibiotics, and it is shipped directly from the ranch to your door. Riverbend Ranch is not just another beef company. It's a legacy of quality, care and craftsmanship that you can taste in every bite. Order from Riverbendranch.com use the promo code Megan for $20 off your first order and you'll be eating the same steak that my family and I eat at night and let me know what you think. Riverbendranch.com promo code Megan President Trump firing the Biden appointed Bureau of labor statistics commissioner Erica McInterfer on Friday in the wake of a soft jobs report. The latest report announcing 73,000 new jobs in July, about 27,000 fewer than expected. And crucially, the report included yet another downward revision on May and June jobs numbers by a combined total of 258,000 jobs lost the steepest monthly downward revision to U.S. jobs growth since May 2020. This latest revision won in a series of large monthly and annual adjustments sparked by the COVID pandemic, which contributed to delayed reporting in August 2024. An annual revision showing the bureau had overstated the number of jobs created by the Biden administration from March 2023 to March 2024 by more than 800,000 over a 12 month period. President Trump announcing the firing on Friday in a pair of scathing truth social posts. The first reading in part quote, I was just informed that our country's jobs numbers are being produced by a Biden appointee, Dr. Erica McInterfer, the commissioner of Labor Statistics who faked the job numbers before the election to try and boost Kamala's chances of victory. This is the same Bureau of Labor Statistics that overstated the jobs growth in March 2024 and then again right before the 2024 presidential election. No one can be that wrong with a question mark. We need accurate jobs numbers. I have directed my team to fire this Biden political appointee immediately. From the follow up post quote in my opinion, today's jobs numbers were rigged in order to make the Republicans and me look bad. Democrats decrying the ouster, calling it dangerous. Former director of President Obama's National Economic Council, Larry Summers, Sunday on ABC this week.

[Larry Summers]

This is the stuff of democracies giving way to authoritarianism. Firing statisticians goes with threatening the heads of newspapers. It goes with launching assaults on universities. It goes with launching assaults on law firms that defend clients that the elected boss finds uncongenial. This is really scary stuff.

[Megyn Kelly]

Sunday on cnn, the former Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner nominated under Trump 1.0 William beach criticizing the firing the commissioner.

[Larry Summers]

Doesn'T do anything to collect the numbers. She by the time the commissioner sees the numbers, they're all prepared. They're locked into the computer system. The only thing the commissioner does on Wednesday is to kind of do the edits on the text.

[Megyn Kelly]

Director of the National Economic Council, Kevin Hassett on NBC, saying the data collection process has long been flawed and has dramatically worsened since COVID What we've seen.

[William Wiatrowski]

Over the last few years is massive revisions to the jobs numbers. In fact, they were extremely reliable, the kind of numbers that you want to guide policy decisions and markets through Covid. And then when Covid happened because response rates went down a lot, then revision rates skyrocketed so that the typical monthly revision often was bigger than the number itself. And now we had a number that just came out. The actual number for the month wasn't so bad, but the two months before were revised down by more than it ever happened since 1968. And in 2015, Alan Greenspan and I were asked to attend a conference at BLS and and we warned that if they didn't try to let the data collection and calculation keep up with the data that was happening in the economy that we would have problems like this.

[Megyn Kelly]

White House Senior Counselor Peter Navarro Saturday on Bloomberg's Balance of Power podcast, saying the current trend of large revisions undermines the perception of objectivity and trust.

[Kevin Hassett]

Let me just say this. Since the pandemic the that we've been getting the numbers spectacularly wrong. I mean, the variance in the numbers dramatically increased after Covid. So we either got incompetence or we got partisanship. And either way it was absolutely appropriate for President Trump to clean house at the bls. We need people to give us numbers and the reason why it matters is if we don't get the right numbers, then we're not going to make the right decisions. Particularly at the Fed.

[Megyn Kelly]

Deputy Commissioner William Wiatrowski will serve as acting commissioner until a replacement is selected on Saturday. American Eagle doubling down on its Sydney Sweeney ad campaign My jeans are blue.

[J.D. Vance]

Sydney Sweeney has for jeans.

[Megyn Kelly]

The campaign igniting a firestorm among some leftists, many expressing deep disgusting that the retailer would feature an unapologetically beautiful blonde woman with white skin, blonde hair and blue eyes. The horror to market their product and use the double entendre about great jeans the ad campaign prompting an outpouring of criticism, including accusations of endorsing racism, promoting eugenics and celebrating Nazism On Saturday, despite the intense public pressure, American Eagle remaining unbowed posting this text graphic to social media quote Sydney Sweeney has great jeans is and always was about the jeans her jeans her story we will continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence. Their way great jeans look great on everyone. By the way, jeans in all of those comments was spelled with a J. Friday on the Ruthless podcast, Vice President J.D. vance weighing in, saying the outcry is A boost to the gop.

[Chris Wallace]

My political advice to the Democrats is continue to tell everybody who thinks Sydney Sweeney is attractive is Nazi. That, that, that appears to be their actual strategy. I mean it actually reveals something pretty interesting about the Dems though, which is that you have like a normal, all American beautiful girl doing like a normal jeans ad, right? They're trying to sell, you know, sell jeans to, to, to kids in America and they have managed to sew unhinge themselves over this thing. And it's like, you guys, did you learn Nothing from the November 2024 election? Like I actually thought that one of the lessons they might take is we're going to be less crazy. The lesson they have apparently taken is we're going to attack people as Nazis for thinking Sydney Sweeney is beautiful. Great strategy guys. That's how you're going to win the midterms, especially young American men.

[Megyn Kelly]

Yesterday, American Eagle continuing its campaign on its Instagram account posting blue jeans for summer Sundays with a new image of Sweeney. The top comment cheering the company for quote trolling the crybabies. In January of this year, fueled by near hurricane force winds and bone dry terrain, the Eaton fire in Altadena and the Palisades fire in the Pacific Palisades devoured everything in their paths. Homes, businesses, memories. In days, entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. The staggering toll more than 18,000 structures damaged or destroyed by mostly homes. 31 lives were lost and tens of thousands were displaced. The damage standing at an estimated $250 billion. On January 31, dozens of Hollywood's biggest stars turning out for fire aid. A benefit concert hosted across two venues featuring performances from Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Katy Perry, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder and more. Celebrities urging viewers to donate to the cause and and promising that direct relief would go to those impacted by the fires.

[Larry Summers]

All the money that's raised will go directly to people who need help in the short term and for the long term effort to get this city back on its feet.

[Megyn Kelly]

Everyone please go tofireaid la.org and give what you can.

[Kevin Hassett]

All of the money raised will go.

[William Wiatrowski]

Directly to people who need it now.

[Larry Summers]

100% of the money goes to short term relief and long term efforts to.

[Megyn Kelly]

Rebuild the event, raising an estimated $100 million in the weeks that followed. Fire aid hailed as a triumph of celebrity driven charity. But months later many locals were asking the same question. Where's the money? Fox 11 Los Angeles speaking to some.

[J.D. Vance]

Survivors and I was actually expecting to some type of reach out or something to let us know that we're here. To help you. And I been searching and trying to figure that out since I have not.

[William Wiatrowski]

Seen any benefit from the fire aid.

[Peter Navarro]

Money or my friends and neighbors.

[Megyn Kelly]

We spoke to independent journalist Sue Pasco, editor of Circling the News, who started digging after a reader reached out with a simple question. How do I apply for help?

[Sue Pasco]

Someone in the Palisades emailed me and said, how do we apply for this aid? Someone who had lost her home? I said, I don't know. So let me call the Annenberg who was supposedly sort of in charge of the, sort of the grant process. And I called and I called and finally someone got back and said, oh, you need to talk to the media spokesperson for fire aid. So I called Chris Wallace, who's a media spokesperson, and I said, how do people apply for it? And he said, people don't apply for it. It's going to nonprofits. This is not for individuals.

[Megyn Kelly]

That revelation shocking Pasco as the concert had been promoted as direct relief for victims. Pasco began following the money, finding some grant recipients appearing to have little to no connections to fire relief.

[Sue Pasco]

Supposedly there are more than 100 that got the money. There are some that clean preschool bathrooms. They got money. There are all these food organizations, many whom I've never heard of before. They got money mixed in with some very reputable ones. Then there was money that went to LA City Foundations. There was money that went to LA County. There was money that went to like the native California voter organization. There's a bunch more that went to immigrants for whatever reason. There is some nonprofits that you could, you could go onto the website and you could just click on and you just go, you know, they're not even based in, in Los Angeles. How is this money going to the victims?

[Megyn Kelly]

Pasco's reporting generating significant media traction. President Trump posting to Truth Social 10 days after Pasco appeared on Fox 11 LA to share her findings, calling fire aid, quote, a total disaster, end quote. Another Democrat inspired scam. Fire aid responding that it does not have the capability to make direct payments to individuals. And that was never the plan. It says, posting a lengthy response on its website reading in part, quote, there has been an increasing amount of misinformation being shared online about the distribution of fire aid funds. Together we raised an estimated 100 million that have been designated for direct relief and will not be used for administrative purposes under Frequently Asked Questions. Fire aid writing, quote, does fire aid award grants to individuals directly? The answer, quote, yes, through local nonprofits and organizations. In other words, no. Fire aid saying it hired law firm Latham And Watkins to conduct a comprehensive review of the governance and grant making process so far. Disbursing 75 million, it says, to 160 organizations, including Food banks, community groups and disaster relief. The organization also noting each grant recipient was first checked out by Goldman Sachs's GS Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund to ensure its good standing. Which doesn't mean they sent the money to fire victims. Recipients will be required to report on fund usage by December, those results set to be audited by kpmg. Pasco agrees some legitimate groups received funds, but she argues that's not the point. The concert was marketed as direct relief for families who lost everything.

[Sue Pasco]

Their website now says we have to stop all this misinformation that's going about. We, we never said it was going to be for victims. Well, yes you did. All the performers said it was going to be for victims and they've hired a law firm now to defend them against all this misinformation. Well, no, just give the money to the victims. And they say, well, we are not equipped to do that. Well, why not? The Red Cross did it. The Red Cross gave everyone impacted by the fire here and I believe in Altadeta, so them money. Why couldn't they do that? Why couldn't they give cash to the victims? There's no reason.

[Megyn Kelly]

Pasco also challenging fire aids, claim that none of the money was spent on administrative fees.

[Sue Pasco]

But here's another thing that most people don't know about nonprofits. Say you want to start a nonprofit, it takes you about a anywhere between six months and a year to get a number. And if you don't have a number, you can go to either Community Partners or California Community Foundation. They will share their number with you so you can use it to apply for aid. And then you give them an 8% administrative fee. And then you have a number and to apply. There are only six questions that they asked. What's your nonprofit's name? What's your nonprofit's number? Where are you based and what have you done to help fire victims? I'm sure everyone was a nonprofit, but the bottom line was this was supposed to be was marketed for victims. It was marketed for the survivors of people who lived in Altadena, people who lived in the Palisades who lost everything. It was marketed for them and they received nothing.

[Megyn Kelly]

Pasco reached out to several of the organizations on the list of recipients, saying the vast majority never replied to her.

[Sue Pasco]

I actually send out a little questionnaire to 20 of the some hundred odd. I don't have a large staff it's basically me. I send out a questionnaire just asking, hi, when was your nonprofit formed? How did you spend the money? And is there anything else you would like to highlight about, you know, the good works that you've done? I got two replies. One was from a very sweet organization that talked about how they had helped an individual in Altadena and and ask how they had helped people in the Palisades. They said they didn't help people in the Palisades. Then I got another response from someone who said, take me off your mailing list. And then, and I got no more responses.

[Megyn Kelly]

Pasco saying accountability is going to have to come in the form of an investigation.

[Sue Pasco]

I think it's going to have to come from some attorney general or someone who's going to have to ask for an accounting or take some legal steps. I mean, I think I've exposed that victims didn't get the fire aid it was marketed as for victims and it was marketed incorrectly. It was sort of like sold a false bill of advertising almost. And I think that's gotta come from some sort of legal source.

[Megyn Kelly]

We reached out to Attorney General Rob Bonta's office in California for comment, receiving no reply. In July, Republican congressman from California Kevin Kiely sending a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting she investigate. So far, the DOJ has not responded. Wired reports that some 11,000 home dwellings were destroyed in the fires. As of early July, less than 200 homeowners have received permits to rebuild. And that'll do it for your AM Update. I'm Megyn Kelly. Join me back here for the Megyn Kelly show live on Sirius XM Triumph channel, channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com MeganKelly and on all podcast platforms.

[Unknown]

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