Unemployment rate under Trump becomes an issue in debate. Here's where it stood in 2020.
In their first debate of the 2024 election, Vice President Kamala Harris blamed former President Donald Trump for causing the worst U.S. unemployment in decades.
"Donald Trump left us the worst unemployment since the Great Depression," Harris said. "Donald Trump left us the worst public health epidemic in a century. Donald Trump left us the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War."
The two candidates shared what they would do if elected in November to address the economy, a critical concern among voters amid high inflation and gas prices.
Trump pledged to institute a tariff of at least 10% on imported goods increasing the rate to 20% on some imports. He added that China, the United States’ largest economic competitor, will face a 60% tariff.
Harris has repeatedly equated Trump’s plan to national sales tax for average Americans.
Trump replied saying that Harris should have removed them if "doesn’t like them," referring to the Biden administration’s decision to keep Trump’s previous tariffs on China.
Harris also acknowledged her plan to address housing costs and offer $50,000 tax deductions for start-up small businesses.
Presidential debate live updates: Trump, Harris battle over economy during their first debate
What was the unemployment rate under Trump?
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment during Trump's presidency peaked in April 2020 at 14.8%, heavily due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The rate was the highest of any month since the BLS began tracking in 1948.
According to BLS statistics, the unemployment rate was at 3.5% in Feb 2020, a month prior to the pandemic's start in the U.S.
What is the unemployment rate now?
The U.S. unemployment rate for the August 2024 was 4.2% with around 7 million Americans unemployed.
Trump says Wharton School professors support his economic plan
Trump also mentioned that his economic plan has garnered the support from professors from his alma matter, the prestigious Wharton School Business school in Philadelphia.
Harris said the business school called Trump's plan hostile adding that it would "actually explode the deficit."
"Sixteen Nobel laureates have described his economic plan as something that would increase inflation and by the middle of next year, would invite a recession," Harris said.
Trump said many of the top professors at the school have called his plan brilliant.
"It's a great plan. It's a plan that's going to bring up our worth, our value as a country. It's going to make people want to be able to go and work and create jobs and create a lot of good, solid money for our country," Trump said.
Contributing: Francesca Chambers and Rebecca Morin
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What was Trump's unemployment rate? Inflated by COVID
