Trump says he’s ‘looking forward’ to seeing Friday’s employment numbers

Leah Millis | Reuters

President Donald Trump holds a Make America Great Again rally at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., May 29, 2018.

President Donald Trump sounded an optimistic tone ahead of Friday’s pivotal May nonfarm payrolls release from the government.

About an hour before the 8:30 a.m. ET release, the president said he is “looking forward” to the employment numbers.

Looking forward to seeing the employment numbers at 8:30 this morning.

The president typically gets to see the numbers the night before they are sent out to the public, though the report is embargoed and is kept under tight wraps as it frequently moves the financial markets.

CNBC has reached out to the White House and Labor Department for comment.

Economists expect the report to show nonfarm payroll growth of 188,000, with the unemployment rate likely holding steady at 3.9 percent. Payroll growth has averaged about 200,000 a month and the median gain has been 170,000.

Markets have been less fixated on top-line jobs report than on wage gains. Average hourly earnings are projected to rise 0.3 percent for the month.

— With reporting by Eamon Javers and Hampton Pearson.