Kamala Harris, Biden Blast Trump For Invoking George Floyd In Celebrating Drop In Unemployment

TOPLINE

President Trump, taking a victory lap in an impromptu press conference Friday following the unexpected news that the unemployment rate had fallen to 13.3%, said the occasion was a “great day” for Americans—and for George Floyd—which outraged several high-profile Democrats.

KEY FACTS

Critical quote: 

“George Floyd’s last words — ‘I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe’ — have echoed all across this nation, quite frankly, all around the world. For the President to try to put any other words in the mouth of George Floyd, I frankly think it’s despicable,” Biden said, speaking from Delaware State University, a historically black university.

Big Number: 

750: The Dow jumped 750 points on the announcement Friday morning that the U.S. economy added 2.5 million jobs in May.

Key Background:

Thursday marked the 10th consecutive day of protests, demonstrations and riots that have ravaged the country since Floyd’s death. After the press conference, the president largely ignored shouted questions from journalists in attendance. When White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor asked Trump how the rate of unemployment among black Americans can be considered a “victory” as it continues to increase, the president told her, “You are something.” 

Further Reading:

Biden says Trump putting words in George Floyd’s mouth is ‘despicable’ (CNN)

Trump Takes A Victory Lap After May’s Surprise Job Gains (Forbes) 

Unemployment Fell To 13.3% In May After Shocking Rebound (Forbes)