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March 9, 2026
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/team-trump-struggles-to-spin-on-the-worst-job-numbers-since-the-great-recession
MaddowBlog-Team Trump struggles to spin the worst job numbers since the Great Recession
When the nation’s labor secretary flubs arithmetic while struggling to defend poor employment data, there’s a problem.
My favorite part of the Republican response to the worst job market since the Great Recession:
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-03-09T17:27:20.740Z
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer tried to subtract 92,000 from 126,000 and somehow ended up with 60,000.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/team-trump-struggles-to-spin-on-the-worst-job-numbers-since-the-great-recession
In mid-February, as Donald Trump’s State of the Union address neared, Peter Navarro, a leading White House voice on trade and economic policy, told Fox News that the U.S. economy was “perfect.” A week later, during JD Vance’s latest Fox News appearance, the vice president celebrated the “Trump boom” in the economy.
Soon after, the American public learned that economic growth during the first year of the president’s second term reached a nine-year low (excluding the pandemic). Late last week, the latest job numbers were even worse: The U.S. economy lost 90,000 jobs in February, and the unemployment rate inched higher.
Indeed, the closer one looked at the data, the worse the figures appeared. Trump has been in the White House for 14 months, and during that time the cumulative total is 150,000 jobs. In the last 14 months of Joe Biden’s presidency, by contrast, the American economy added 1.74 million jobs.....
In theory, this is not an unreasonable position, since larger trends are more important than month-to-month fluctuations. But in practice, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.
First, recent averages don’t do the White House any favors, either. The economy not only shed jobs in February, it also lost jobs in two of the last three months, three of the last five months and five of the last nine months. (During Biden’s term, there were literally zero months in which the economy lost jobs.)
Put simply, since Trump returned to power, there has been no period of sustained, healthy job growth in the United States.
Second, arithmetic still matters.
During Chavez-DeRemer’s Fox Business appearance, the scandal-plagued labor secretary claimed, “Overall, we’ve gained 60,000 new jobs over the last two months.”
No, we haven’t. According to the Trump administration’s own Bureau of Labor Statistics, the economy added 126,000 jobs in January and then lost 92,000 jobs in February. That’s a combined total of 34,000, not 60,000.
What’s more, this approach includes some ugly averages. Monthly job growth of 17,000 to 30,000 is quite awful and not enough to keep up with population growth, as the nation’s labor secretary really ought to know.
Soon after, the American public learned that economic growth during the first year of the president’s second term reached a nine-year low (excluding the pandemic). Late last week, the latest job numbers were even worse: The U.S. economy lost 90,000 jobs in February, and the unemployment rate inched higher.
Indeed, the closer one looked at the data, the worse the figures appeared. Trump has been in the White House for 14 months, and during that time the cumulative total is 150,000 jobs. In the last 14 months of Joe Biden’s presidency, by contrast, the American economy added 1.74 million jobs.....
In theory, this is not an unreasonable position, since larger trends are more important than month-to-month fluctuations. But in practice, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.
First, recent averages don’t do the White House any favors, either. The economy not only shed jobs in February, it also lost jobs in two of the last three months, three of the last five months and five of the last nine months. (During Biden’s term, there were literally zero months in which the economy lost jobs.)
Put simply, since Trump returned to power, there has been no period of sustained, healthy job growth in the United States.
Second, arithmetic still matters.
VARNEY: If you add it all up, it doesn't look good for the Trump economy
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-03-06T14:47:36.853Z
LABOR SECRETARY LORI CHAVEZ-DeREMER: I couldn't agree with you. Overall, we've gained 60,000 new jobs over the last two months
During Chavez-DeRemer’s Fox Business appearance, the scandal-plagued labor secretary claimed, “Overall, we’ve gained 60,000 new jobs over the last two months.”
No, we haven’t. According to the Trump administration’s own Bureau of Labor Statistics, the economy added 126,000 jobs in January and then lost 92,000 jobs in February. That’s a combined total of 34,000, not 60,000.
What’s more, this approach includes some ugly averages. Monthly job growth of 17,000 to 30,000 is quite awful and not enough to keep up with population growth, as the nation’s labor secretary really ought to know.
March 9, 2026
https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/markwayne-mullins-departure-allows
The Borowitz Report-Markwayne Mullin's Departure Allows Tommy Tuberville to Secure Title of Dumbest Senator
Markwayne Mullin's Departure Allows Tommy Tuberville to Secure Title of Dumbest Senator
— @KeepItBlueDems.bsky.social (@keepitbluedems.bsky.social) 2026-03-09T15:25:55.587Z
open.substack.com/pub/borowitz...
https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/markwayne-mullins-departure-allows
WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Markwayne Mullin’s exit from the United States Senate has enabled Tommy Tuberville to emerge as the nation’s dumbest senator, a jubilant Tuberville confirmed on Monday.
“People are gonna try to cheapen this victory by saying I only got it because Waynemark (sic) left,” the Alabaman said. “But like we used to say on the football field, a win’s a win.”
“People need to realize, I had to compete with 99 other senators to win this title,” he said. “And even if you subtract Mullin, that still leaves 95.”
Tuberville said that the media had not given him “enough credit” for becoming the nation’s dumbest senator, noting, “I beat Ron Johnson.”
“People are gonna try to cheapen this victory by saying I only got it because Waynemark (sic) left,” the Alabaman said. “But like we used to say on the football field, a win’s a win.”
“People need to realize, I had to compete with 99 other senators to win this title,” he said. “And even if you subtract Mullin, that still leaves 95.”
Tuberville said that the media had not given him “enough credit” for becoming the nation’s dumbest senator, noting, “I beat Ron Johnson.”
March 9, 2026
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/as-oil-prices-soar-trumps-boast-about-stabilizing-gas-prices-looks-ridiculous
MaddowBlog-As oil prices soar, Trump's boast about 'stabilizing' gas prices looks ridiculous
Four days ago, the president touted the “decisive action” his administration took “to help keep down the oil prices.” Oops.
As oil prices soar, remember: It was four days ago when Trump said he helped “stabilize†gas prices, touting the “decisive action†his administration took “to help keep down the oil prices.â€
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-03-09T14:56:20.343Z
Yeah, about that...
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/as-oil-prices-soar-trumps-boast-about-stabilizing-gas-prices-looks-ridiculous
The gap between what Trump promised to deliver and what he has delivered is enormous — and growing. As The New York Times summarized, “Oil prices surged on Monday in a sign of growing concern that the war in the Middle East will continue to take a toll on energy supplies, raising gas prices for American consumers and weighing on the stock market.”.....
To put the increase in perspective, I put together this chart showing WTI prices over the last year.
To be sure, the White House has insisted that this is a temporary setback. In an item published to his social media platform on Sunday afternoon, the president argued after his latest golf outing, “Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace. ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY!” (He was referring to an Iranian nuclear threat that he has claimed to have “obliterated” last summer.)....
“Yesterday, my administration announced decisive action to help keep down the oil prices,” he declared. Moments later, he went on to say that oil prices “have pretty much stabilized.”
Right around the time Trump made those comments, oil prices were roughly $80 a barrel. They topped $100 soon after.
So here are the questions for the communications team in the West Wing: (1) Was the administration’s “decisive action to help keep down the oil prices” a failure? (2) Does the president know what “stabilized” means?
To put the increase in perspective, I put together this chart showing WTI prices over the last year.
To be sure, the White House has insisted that this is a temporary setback. In an item published to his social media platform on Sunday afternoon, the president argued after his latest golf outing, “Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace. ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY!” (He was referring to an Iranian nuclear threat that he has claimed to have “obliterated” last summer.)....
“Yesterday, my administration announced decisive action to help keep down the oil prices,” he declared. Moments later, he went on to say that oil prices “have pretty much stabilized.”
Right around the time Trump made those comments, oil prices were roughly $80 a barrel. They topped $100 soon after.
So here are the questions for the communications team in the West Wing: (1) Was the administration’s “decisive action to help keep down the oil prices” a failure? (2) Does the president know what “stabilized” means?
March 9, 2026
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/even-trumps-team-hedges-on-his-claim-about-strike-on-girls-school-in-iran
MaddowBlog-Even Trump's own team hedges on his claim about strike on girls' school in Iran
The president blamed Iran for the strike on the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school building. His team did not.
As a rule, members of Trump’s team echo whatever he says, without regard for evidence, facts, or propriety.
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-03-09T12:32:41.171Z
But on the deadly strike on a girls’ school in Iran, that didn’t happen.
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/even-trumps-team-hedges-on-his-claim-about-strike-on-girls-school-in-iran
Over the course of the first week of the conflict, Donald Trump said effectively nothing about the deadly incident, but during a Q&A with reporters aboard Air Force One on the seventh day of the war, the president was asked whether the U.S. had bombed the school.
“No,” he replied. “No. In my opinion and based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran. … We think it was done by Iran.”
But then something interesting happened. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was standing next to the president when he blamed Iran, and a reporter asked, “Is that true, Mr. Hegseth? It was Iran who did that?”
The beleaguered Pentagon chief replied, “We’re certainly investigating.”....
As a rule in this administration, there’s a straightforward model that officials are expected to follow: Trump makes a dubious claim, and those who serve at his pleasure endorse the accuracy of that claim, without regard for evidence or propriety, establishing a new version of reality for the White House and its allies.
But in this case, that hasn’t happened. Even the president’s sycophantic employees heard his claim but refused to back it, which speaks volumes about its reliability.
For his part, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” and told host Jake Tapper, in reference to the strike on the school, “I think it’s unforgivable under any circumstances. But the fact that this was one of our first targeting decisions, that this mistake was made on the first day of war, I think speaks to the incompetence of our leadership at the Department of Defense.”
“No,” he replied. “No. In my opinion and based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran. … We think it was done by Iran.”
Reporter: Did the US bomb an elementary school and kill 175 people?
— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) 2026-03-07T23:10:45.500Z
Trump: Based on what I’ve seen, it was done by Iran.
Reporter: Is that true Mr. Hegseth?
Hegseth: We’re investigating.
Trump: They are very inaccurate with their munitions. It was done by Iran.
But then something interesting happened. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was standing next to the president when he blamed Iran, and a reporter asked, “Is that true, Mr. Hegseth? It was Iran who did that?”
The beleaguered Pentagon chief replied, “We’re certainly investigating.”....
As a rule in this administration, there’s a straightforward model that officials are expected to follow: Trump makes a dubious claim, and those who serve at his pleasure endorse the accuracy of that claim, without regard for evidence or propriety, establishing a new version of reality for the White House and its allies.
But in this case, that hasn’t happened. Even the president’s sycophantic employees heard his claim but refused to back it, which speaks volumes about its reliability.
For his part, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” and told host Jake Tapper, in reference to the strike on the school, “I think it’s unforgivable under any circumstances. But the fact that this was one of our first targeting decisions, that this mistake was made on the first day of war, I think speaks to the incompetence of our leadership at the Department of Defense.”
March 9, 2026
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-fox-news-2675842041/
Fox admits to 'error' after burying clip of Trump wearing hat to fallen soldier ceremony
Fox knew that trump was disrespecting the troops
Fox News over the weekend apologized and admitted to an "error" after failing to air footage of Donald Trump wearing what some deemed a controversial choice of attire to the dignified transfer of deceased soldiers.
— Raw Story (@rawstory.com) 2026-03-08T21:00:21Z
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-fox-news-2675842041/
Fox News over the weekend apologized and admitted to an "error" after failing to air footage of Donald Trump wearing what some deemed a controversial choice of attire to the dignified transfer of deceased soldiers.
On Saturday, Trump came under fire for his behavior during a solemn moment in which six fallen soldiers killed in the president's onslaught against Iran were honored. The president was seen during the event standing upright while others bowed their heads. He was also wearing a white baseball cap during the typically solemn event, which was broadcast in complete silence on CNN.
Instead of playing that video for its audience, Fox News said it played an old video from a different dignified transfer. A host later apologized.
"We inadvertently aired video from an older dignified transfer instead of the ceremony that took place yesterday," he said. "We deeply regret the error."
The development was flagged by attorney and journalist Aaron Parnas, who wrote, "Fox News admits to airing an old dignified transfer video on its program this morning, one that did not show Donald Trump wearing a white ball cap."
On Saturday, Trump came under fire for his behavior during a solemn moment in which six fallen soldiers killed in the president's onslaught against Iran were honored. The president was seen during the event standing upright while others bowed their heads. He was also wearing a white baseball cap during the typically solemn event, which was broadcast in complete silence on CNN.
Instead of playing that video for its audience, Fox News said it played an old video from a different dignified transfer. A host later apologized.
"We inadvertently aired video from an older dignified transfer instead of the ceremony that took place yesterday," he said. "We deeply regret the error."
The development was flagged by attorney and journalist Aaron Parnas, who wrote, "Fox News admits to airing an old dignified transfer video on its program this morning, one that did not show Donald Trump wearing a white ball cap."
March 9, 2026
https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/eric-trump-calls-ayatollahs-son-an
The Borowitz Report-Eric Trump Calls Ayatollah's Son an Incompetent Moron who Only Got Position Through Nepotism
Thank you @merlinmm.bsky.social!! 💙💙💙
— Peppa Pax Pippa 🕊ï¸â˜®ï¸âœŒðŸ¼ (@peppapaxpippa.bsky.social) 2026-03-08T12:46:57.373Z
https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/eric-trump-calls-ayatollahs-son-an
WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—In a blistering takedown of Iran’s new Supreme Leader, on Sunday Eric Trump claimed that the late Ayatollah’s son was an incompetent idiot who only attained his position through nepotism.
“The last thing the world needs is yet another total bonehead getting a leg up just because of who his dad is,” Trump said. “If this dope’s last name was Henderson instead of Khamenei, he wouldn’t even be in the conversation.”
He added that giving someone control over massive sums of money just because he had a powerful father is “a recipe for disaster.”
“What kind of backwards country showers someone with riches because of who his dad is?” Trump asked. “All I can say is, congratulations, Iran: you just chose a member of the Lucky Sperm Club.”
“The last thing the world needs is yet another total bonehead getting a leg up just because of who his dad is,” Trump said. “If this dope’s last name was Henderson instead of Khamenei, he wouldn’t even be in the conversation.”
He added that giving someone control over massive sums of money just because he had a powerful father is “a recipe for disaster.”
“What kind of backwards country showers someone with riches because of who his dad is?” Trump asked. “All I can say is, congratulations, Iran: you just chose a member of the Lucky Sperm Club.”
March 8, 2026
US service member dies from injuries suffered in Iranian attack
Source: ABC
A U.S. service member has died from injuries received during the initial attacks by the Iranian regime across the Middle East, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Sunday.
The service member, whose name was not immediately released, was seriously wounded on March 1 in an Iranian attack on U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia, according to CENTCOM.
Seven service members have now been killed in action during Operation Epic Fury, which was launched on Feb. 28, according to CENTCOM.
Read more: https://abcnews.com/International/live-updates/iran-live-updates-idf-targets-iranian-internal-security
March 8, 2026
CENTCOM officially announced the death of the 7th American servicemen lost during Trump's War in Iran.
March 8, 2026
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/07/gonzales-is-out-in-texas-and-dems-see-a-chance-to-beat-the-akguy-00817739
Gonzales is out in Texas, and Dems see a chance to beat 'The AKGuy'
Brandon Herrera’s controversial online presence and hardline politics could open another opportunity for House Democrats in a deep-red district.
Gonzales is out in Texas, and Dems see a chance to beat ‘The AKGuy’
— Politico (@politico.com) 2026-03-07T15:04:43Z
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/07/gonzales-is-out-in-texas-and-dems-see-a-chance-to-beat-the-akguy-00817739
Democrats see a new opportunity brewing deep in the heart of Texas, where Republicans solving one problem may have inadvertently created a new one.
Rep. Tony Gonzales’ decision to drop his reelection bid over an infidelity scandal has elevated Brandon Herrera, a controversial social media figure known by his handle “TheAKGuy,” to the Republican nomination for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District......
The biggest reason the race might become competitive is Herrera himself. The YouTuber, gun manufacturer and Second Amendment activist has millions of online followers — and a track record of off-color, edgelord jokes that are ripe fodder for campaign ads. Herrera has come under fire for a long history of posting Nazi imagery and his involvement in a group called Sons of Confederate Veterans. Jokes like his line “I often think about putting a gun in my mouth. So, I’m basically an honorary veteran” were a flashpoint for criticism in his 2024 primary against Gonzales......
Democrats argue Herrera has his own baggage that may be hard to overcome as well.
“Maybe I’m just an old-fashioned East Texas farm kid, but I tend to be anti-Nazi, and I have a feeling that people on the western side of the state feel a similar way,” said Kendall Scudder, chair of the Texas Democratic Party.
“So, you know, go ahead and nominate the adulterer, sexual predator, or nominate the actual Nazi. Regardless, we outvoted them, and we’re going to do it again in November,” he added, citing Tuesday’s strong Democratic turn out in primaries up and down the ballot.
Rep. Tony Gonzales’ decision to drop his reelection bid over an infidelity scandal has elevated Brandon Herrera, a controversial social media figure known by his handle “TheAKGuy,” to the Republican nomination for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District......
The biggest reason the race might become competitive is Herrera himself. The YouTuber, gun manufacturer and Second Amendment activist has millions of online followers — and a track record of off-color, edgelord jokes that are ripe fodder for campaign ads. Herrera has come under fire for a long history of posting Nazi imagery and his involvement in a group called Sons of Confederate Veterans. Jokes like his line “I often think about putting a gun in my mouth. So, I’m basically an honorary veteran” were a flashpoint for criticism in his 2024 primary against Gonzales......
Democrats argue Herrera has his own baggage that may be hard to overcome as well.
“Maybe I’m just an old-fashioned East Texas farm kid, but I tend to be anti-Nazi, and I have a feeling that people on the western side of the state feel a similar way,” said Kendall Scudder, chair of the Texas Democratic Party.
“So, you know, go ahead and nominate the adulterer, sexual predator, or nominate the actual Nazi. Regardless, we outvoted them, and we’re going to do it again in November,” he added, citing Tuesday’s strong Democratic turn out in primaries up and down the ballot.
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