Vice President JD Vance recently shared some strong words about the impact of former President Donald Trump’s policies on American workers. Speaking with Breitbart News on Thursday, Vance said that Trump’s economic strategies have helped boost wages by about $1,200 per person when adjusted for inflation.
Vance pointed out that during the first 10 months under Trump’s leadership, take-home pay for the average American worker grew by roughly $1,200. By contrast, he noted that in the first three years of the Biden administration, workers saw a drop of about $3,000 in their take-home pay. “Wages continue to way outpace inflation,” Vance said, suggesting Trump-era policies created more financial relief for everyday Americans.
Another key point Vance emphasized was job growth happening largely among native-born American citizens during the Trump administration. He criticized the Biden administration, saying most new jobs went to foreign-born workers. “The best thing about the Trump economy is that American jobs are going to American workers for a change,” he said, calling that his proudest achievement.
Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics adds some context to these claims. The agency reported that in September, average hourly pay for private-sector workers rose modestly by 9 cents, or 0.2 percent, reaching $36.67. Over the past year, earnings increased by 3.8 percent. For private-sector production and non-supervisory employees specifically, wages went up by 8 cents to $31.53.
Vance also talked about how automation and robots could help raise wages. He said investing in technology makes workers more productive and earns them higher pay. “If we lean into robotics and technology, it’s going to raise everybody’s wages and make everybody better off,” he told Fox News earlier this month. He contrasted this with what he called the Democratic approach of importing low-wage labor, which he believes hurt blue-collar workers’ wages and job opportunities.
Supporting this tech-driven approach, Trump has also pushed for greater use of automation over increasing migration. Vance said this method empowers American workers rather than replacing them with foreign labor, which he sees as key to boosting wages.
On the flip side, some Democrats remain open to expanding immigration. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently told an audience in Texas that he doesn’t believe immigration is driving wages down. Instead, he said the country benefits from immigration and encouraged smoother immigration systems.
As debates over jobs, wages, and immigration continue, Vance’s comments highlight a clear divide in how different leaders think America should grow its economy. One camp emphasizes boosting native workers through technology and immigration limits, while the other supports bringing in more workers to fill jobs. Both sides seem determined to shape the future of work in the U.S. in very different ways.
