The Daily Signal Full-Time Work, Real Pay Raises: How Trump Quietly Rebuilt the Job Market | E.J. Antoni, Ph.D.
Jan 16, 2026
Discover the surprising improvements in the job market that defy mainstream media narratives. Recent data reveals a significant rise in native-born employment, with job seekers transitioning from multiple part-time roles to full-time positions. The podcast dives into a notable decline in the federal workforce, the impact of wage gains outpacing inflation, and the benefits of structural reforms. With private sector growth leading the charge, there's an optimistic outlook for economic prosperity under continued reforms.
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Native-Born Job Gains Outpace Immigrants
- Native-born employment rose by over 2 million in 2025 while foreign-born employment rose less than 400,000.
- Tony Kinnett argues this marks a reversal from 2024 when native-born employment mostly declined.
Part-Time Gigs Replaced By Full-Time Jobs
- Multiple job holders plunged by 444,000 while full-time employment rose 890,000 in December.
- Tony Kinnett explains many people swapped multiple part-time gigs for single full-time jobs, improving individual welfare.
Household Survey Shows Bigger Employment Gain
- Household employment rose 232,000 while payrolls rose only 50,000, a fourfold difference.
- Tony Kinnett notes this gap reflects fewer multiple-job holders, not weak job creation.