Story perspectives

Post-Liberation Day Jobs Down 17%, Confidence Falls

5/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. employers added 251,000 workers in the year after President Donald Trump’s April 2025 “Liberation Day” announcement, 17% of the prior decade’s 1.48 million-a-year pace and 16% of the 1.59 million average since 1976.
In April 2026, businesses added 115,000 jobs, 7% below the ten-year average of 124,000.
A Conference Board poll found the economic expectations score for 2026 was 17% below average, with 22% expecting a worse climate and 27% foreseeing fewer jobs.

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Story summary

U.S. employers added 251,000 workers in the year after President Donald Trump’s April 2025 “Liberation Day” announcement, 17% of the prior decade’s 1.48 million-a-year pace and 16% of the 1.59 million average since 1976.
In April 2026, businesses added 115,000 jobs, 7% below the ten-year average of 124,000.
A Conference Board poll found the economic expectations score for 2026 was 17% below average, with 22% expecting a worse climate and 27% foreseeing fewer jobs.