President Donald Trump shut down NBC News host Tom Llamas during an interview posted to YouTube on Wednesday. The exchange centered on the impact of artificial intelligence on the American workforce. Llamas pushed the narrative that AI is already “killing” jobs across the country.
“AI has already started to take jobs because the technology’s there,” Llamas insisted. Trump immediately disagreed and pointed to the current strength of the labor market. He noted that the United States currently has more people working than at any other time in its 250-year history.
“There are more people working today than at any time in the history of our country,” Trump retorted. “Pretty good stat.” When Llamas stuttered in response, the President quipped, “That kills that question. That’s a good answer.”
Recent data supports the President’s optimism regarding total employment levels. Figures from December show roughly 164 million Americans are currently employed. This marks a significant increase from the 150 million workers recorded in early 2021.
Llamas continued to argue that many Americans remain worried about technology eliminating their roles. Trump compared these fears to past concerns about the internet and robots. “Everything’s gonna kill jobs,” the President said. “And you end up, if you’re smart, doing great.”
Despite the President’s confidence, some analysts warn that AI adoption could disrupt entry-level positions. A report from Challenger, Gray and Christmas found that AI was cited in over 50,000 job reductions in 2025. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett also warned that AI is creating a “quiet time” for certain sectors.+1
However, a new Harris Poll suggests that the “stigma” around blue-collar work is declining. Roughly 75% of Americans believe that jobs requiring hands-on experience are less likely to be replaced by AI. This shift highlights a growing national value on trade skills over automated entry-level office work.
The administration continues to frame AI as a tool for growth rather than a threat. Trump maintains that smart policy and a focus on hands-on experience will protect American workers. For now, the record-breaking employment numbers remain the cornerstone of his economic argument.