Somos' Melissa Morales on July Jobs Report and Trump's Tariff Day: "It may look like the calm before the storm, but Trump’s economic wreckage is already here"
Somos' Melissa Morales on July Jobs Report and Trump's Tariff Day: "It may look like the calm before the storm, but Trump’s economic wreckage is already here"
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, as President Trump officially implements his tariff program, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a devastating July jobs report showing the U.S. economy added only 73,000 new jobs — far below the expected 115,000 — while unemployment rose to 4.2%. With massive downward revisions wiping out 258,000 previously reported jobs from May and June, Melissa Morales, Founder and President of Somos Votantes, reacted with the following statement:
"It may look like the calm before the storm, but Trump's economic wreckage is already here. All the chaotic decisions this administration has taken — from handing trillions to the ultra-wealthy who are already making record profits through his tax and spending bill to reckless tariff policy — are finally catching up with hardworking families. Latinos didn't ask for trade wars and economic uncertainty, they wanted lower grocery bills and good-paying jobs. Trump promised a booming economy but has delivered chaos instead, and our polling shows Latino voters see right through his failed promises. It’s simple — an economic agenda that creates uncertainty for small businesses and higher costs for families results in weak job growth, rising unemployment, and everyone bracing for what comes next."
Recent polling from Somos Votantes continues to show Trump's deteriorating standing among Latino voters, with his economic approval rating among this critical constituency falling deeper into negative territory as families experience the real-world impacts of his tax cuts for the wealthy and program cuts for working people.
Key findings of the poll:
- Views on the economy remain bleak. A majority of Latino voters (64%) continue to rate the U.S. economy as ‘poor,’ and 56% believe the economy is getting worse under Trump.
- Trump’s standing among Latino voters has declined sharply across all measures since February. His favorability rating worsened from -12 to -17, his job approval sank from -11 to -18, and his economic approval dropped from -13 to -20. This significant deterioration in his job approval is especially steep among Latino independents, crashing from -6 to -28 and Latina women, falling from -22 to -35.
- Frustration dominates Latino voters’ views, seven-in-ten express negative emotions (70%) when asked how they feel about the current direction of the country.
- Latino voters continue to believe Trump and Republicans are not focused on their concerns – the cost of living, the economy, Social Security and Medicare. A majority saying Trump is focused on the wrong things (56%).
- A majority (53%) are very concerned by Trump and Congressional Republicans’ plans to cut Medicaid to pay for tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations.
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About Somos Votantes
Somos Votantes is a Latino-led, Latino-focused organization that runs some of the largest independent Latino civic and voter engagement programs in the country. We envision a nation where hardworking Latinos have the opportunities and tools to fully participate in our democracy. Somos Votantes seeks to empower hardworking Latinos in shaping the future of our democracy, primarily through non-partisan civic engagement programs, by increasing our participation in elections and advocating for progressive policies.Visit https://www.somosvotantes.com/ for more information on this program and other projects, and follow the organization on Instagram, Facebook, and X.