White House 1600 Daily: Lifting up America's forgotten communities

The Day Ahead

President Donald J. Trump will participate in a patriotic Celebration of America this afternoon. Watch live at 3 p.m. ET.

Lifting up America’s forgotten communities

The economy has created nearly 3 million jobs since President Trump took office. The unemployment rate has fallen to 3.8 percent, matching its lowest level in nearly 50 years. Consumer confidence and business optimism have skyrocketed. American manufacturing is thriving, with manufacturers expecting record levels of employment growth and investment. Crucially, these gains have reached many communities that have struggled historically. African-American and Hispanic unemployment rates have hit record lows. The unemployment rate for women has fallen to its lowest level since 1953. Jobs have come back to many states that were hit hardest by the Great Recession and America’s string of bad trade deals. America is open for business, and that’s good news for everyone. President Trump’s first 500 days included signing historic tax cuts for working families; rolling back unnecessary regulations that hit energy producers, farmers, and manufacturers; and finally getting tough on China for years of unfair trade practices. President Trump’s first 500 days of growth is lifting all people through a growing economy. More: The accomplishments that define the Trump Administration to date

Vice President will make third visit to South America

Vice President Mike Pence announced his third trip to South America last night at a reception of the Organization of American States. He will travel to Brazil and Ecuador later this month. “Sadly the dark cloud of tyranny still hangs heavy over a few of our neighbors,” the Vice President said.

•	“In Cuba, the Castro name has begun to fade, but under a handpicked successor, their legacy endures [with] the oppressive police state they established.”
•	“In Nicaragua, the government of Daniel Ortega, as we all know, is committing and condoning terrible violence.”
•	In Venezuela, “the regime of Nicolas Maduro has turned a free and prosperous nation into one of the most poorest and most despotic in our hemisphere.”