According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the United States added 139,000 “non-farm payroll jobs” in the month of May, 2025. These figures came in close to what experts projected and depending upon one’s ideological perspective, it was either evidence of economic strength and resilience under Trump or a sign of a slowing job market as a result of Trump’s tariff policies and economic uncertainty. What the mainstream media didn’t cover as much were the prior month revisions, or how the demographic shifts are artificially boosting labor participation numbers. With an economic slowdown on the horizon, AI already taking entry-level jobs, recent graduates having trouble finding employment, a quarter of the population participating in the gig economy and an aging population, there is trouble brewing. And some of it is already here.

Access the episode resources.

Resources

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Situation Summary - 2025 M05 Results

Tulane: Importance of Data Collection in Public Health

Common Dreams: Hitler’s First 100 Days — And Trump’s

St. Louis Fed: Labor Force Participation Rate (CIVPART)

St. Louis Fed: Labor Force Participation Rate - 25-54 Yrs. (LNU01300060)

St. Louis Fed: Labor Force Participation Rate - 55 Yrs. & over (LNS11324230)

AARP: Are the Last Boomers Ready for Retirement?

CNN: AI company’s CEO issues warning about mass unemployment

Gig Economy Data Hub: How many gig workers are there?

US Census Bureau: Demographic Turning Points for the United States: Population Projections for 2020 to 2060

UNFTR Resources

Iceberg. Dead Ahead.

Building a Civilian Labor Corps: Bracing for the AI Job Apocalypse.

5NN

Video: 2025 Jobs Data is Total BULLSH*T

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