Although polls show that many Americans continue to have a negative view of the economy, there are actually plenty of numbers out there that show positive developments.
We’re seeing huge investments in manufacturing pouring in in every state, inflation has cooled, the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is solid if not spectacular, and the stock markets remain at or near all-time highs.
Affordability, however, is still a top concern for the majority of voters.
On Thursday, another “unexpectedly” low number came in: jobless claims. Virtually every time I write about the economy and new statistics coming in, the results are described as “unexpected” by experts, and notably, in recent times, they almost always predict worse outcomes than what actually turns out to be the reality. Food for thought.
But here is what they guestimated, and here is what the data shows. The last time jobless claims were this low, Jimi Hendrix was shredding the national anthem on his electric guitar at Woodstock:
Initial applications for US unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level since 1969, signaling layoffs remain muted in a stable labor market.
Initial claims fell by 22,000 to 187,000 in the week ended July 18, according to Labor Department data released Thursday. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of economists called for 210,000 applications.
The U.S. job market just pulled off something not seen since 1969.
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) July 23, 2026
Just 187,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week — the fewest weekly jobless claims in more than 50 years and far below the 215,000 economists were expecting.
Jobless claims are one of the… pic.twitter.com/Q5Ykm0fa7S
The U.S. job market just pulled off something not seen since 1969.
Just 187,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week — the fewest weekly jobless claims in more than 50 years and far below the 215,000 economists were expecting.
Jobless claims are one of the closest real-time snapshots of layoffs, and the latest numbers suggest employers are still hanging onto workers despite global economic uncertainty.
Analysts say the labor market has remained surprisingly resilient even after oil prices jumped following the U.S. strikes on Iran, but still warn a prolonged conflict and higher energy costs could eventually put pressure on hiring.
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It’s not easy being a liberal economic analyst these days, as the Wall Street Journal points out:
It could be a tough day on the left wing of American politics. U.S. companies are churning out profits and laying off almost no one. Constant warnings about artificial intelligence destroying jobs are coinciding with the lowest weekly job destruction number recorded in nearly six decades.
🔥🚨 BREAKING — BEST JOBS NUMBER since the 1960s under President Trump. CNBC anchor is COMPLETELY SHOCKED!
— The Patriot Oasis™ (@ThePatriotOasis) July 23, 2026
Expected jobless claims: 212,000 ❌
Actual: 187,000 ✅
"WOW... You're looking at numbers that we haven't seen basically since the late 1960s..."
The Golden Age is… pic.twitter.com/3A2irAGlCj
🔥🚨 BREAKING — BEST JOBS NUMBER since the 1960s under President Trump. CNBC anchor is COMPLETELY SHOCKED!
Expected jobless claims: 212,000 ❌
Actual: 187,000 ✅
"WOW... You're looking at numbers that we haven't seen basically since the late 1960s..."
The Golden Age is here. America is winning big!
Editor's Note: President Trump is leading America into the "Golden Age" as Democrats try desperately to stop it.
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