UPDATE: E.J. Antoni’s nomination as the new head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics has been abruptly withdrawn by the White House following a wave of outrage over his past social media activity. The controversial economist, selected by Donald Trump in August, faced intense criticism from across the political spectrum, prompting the administration to act swiftly.
Just yesterday, the White House submitted paperwork to the Senate to withdraw Antoni’s nomination, as reported by Politico. In a lengthy post on X (formerly Twitter) today, Antoni expressed disappointment, stating he would not take the position and alluding to “elected officials who lack the courage to support” his agenda. His comments reflect a deep frustration with the political establishment.
Antoni, a 37-year-old economist from the Heritage Foundation, was nominated to replace former BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer. His appointment was aimed at addressing what Trump described as “rigged” job report figures. However, his past social media posts, which included derogatory comments about public figures like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, quickly resurfaced, leading to backlash.
In his post, Antoni emphasized the need for “accurate economic data” to drive reforms in the D.C. Swamp, stating, “Americans voted to reform the failed status quo.” He thanked Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent while criticizing unnamed officials for not supporting his “commonsense agenda.”
The Daily Beast reached out for comments but has yet to receive a response. Despite the withdrawal, Antoni plans to remain at the Heritage Foundation, where he will continue advocating for reforms he believes the BLS needs.
Antoni’s nomination came under scrutiny after reports highlighted his controversial online history, including conspiracy theories and offensive comments about figures such as Ilhan Omar and the late Senator John McCain. In a now-infamous podcast appearance, a picture of the German battleship Bismarck was visible in the background, adding to the controversy surrounding his past.
The White House has confirmed it will announce a new nominee for the BLS role shortly. An official stated, “Dr. EJ Antoni is a brilliant economist and an American patriot that will continue to do good work on behalf of our great country.”
As this story develops, all eyes will be on the White House for the upcoming announcement of Antoni’s replacement, which may reshape the future of economic data reporting in the United States.
Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding story as the implications of this withdrawal become clear.
