Recent online rumors circulated a fabricated news release claiming former President Donald Trump had appointed his ex-CFO, Allen Weisselberg, as the new Director of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This assertion has been widely debunked as completely false, originating from a humorous, albeit misleading, source.
The spurious claim began as a joke generated by the artificial intelligence tool Grok. It was subsequently shared across social media platforms, particularly X, just hours after President Trump dismissed Erika McEntarfer from her position as head of the federal agency responsible for reporting vital employment figures.
The notion of Allen Weisselberg assuming such a significant government role is inherently implausible given his legal history. Weisselberg is a convicted felon, having pleaded guilty in 2022 to serious charges including grand larceny, tax fraud, and falsifying business records. Such a background would undoubtedly present insurmountable challenges for Senate confirmation, making any legitimate appointment highly unlikely.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a crucial agency within the Department of Labor, tasked with the rigorous collection, analysis, and dissemination of critical labor market data. Its reports significantly influence economic policy and decision-making nationwide, making the integrity and impartiality of its leadership paramount.
The timing of the fabricated announcement is noteworthy, emerging shortly after President Trump’s swift decision to fire BLS Commissioner McEntarfer. Her dismissal followed the agency’s release of what was perceived as a negative employment report for July, sparking immediate controversy.
Following the report, Donald Trump publicly expressed his disapproval on Truth Social, asserting that the “Jobs Numbers were RIGGED” in an alleged attempt to undermine Republicans and himself. This strong reaction underscored his contentious relationship with economic data that did not align with his public narrative.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the rapid spread of fake news and the ease with which AI-generated content can be misinterpreted or deliberately used to disseminate misinformation. Verifying information, especially regarding significant public appointments and economic data, remains crucial in the current digital landscape.
