Archive September 6, 2025

Fact check: Have US workers gained $500 in wages this year?

According to President Donald Trump, his economic policies already have an impact on US citizens.

During a Cabinet meeting on August 26th, Trump stated that the average American worker has already seen a $500 wage increase this year.

Trump’s White House picked data that favors higher earnings growth. A larger sample size, which reflects a smaller increase, is what experts favor.

How a $500 pay raise was calculated by the White House

A spokesperson for the White House’s press office pointed us to Bureau of Labor Statistics figures for&nbsp, the seasonally adjusted median weekly earnings for full-time and salaried employees.

According to this data, the median weekly earnings increased from $ 1,185 in the fourth quarter of 2024 to $ 1,206 in the second quarter of 2025, which is in line with Trump’s second term in office.

We multiplied those figures by 26 to determine how much a typical worker gained over the course of the half-year because those figures represent weekly earnings. A total wage increase of $546 is obtained when multiplied by 26 weeks. Part-time employees, who make up about a quarter of the workforce, are not included in this measure, nor are they considered to be inflationary.

Other measures are deemed more reliable by experts as being reliable.

According to economists, the dataset chosen by the White House isn’t as trustworthy as a different set, and the more trustworthy study shows a smaller wage increase.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases a monthly dataset called the average weekly earnings of all private sector employees.

This figure indicates a pay increase of roughly $ 121 over the first six months of 2025. That’s roughly one-third of Trump’s statement.

This is the preferred method of measuring wages, according to several economists, because it is based on the Current Employment Statistics program, which examines 121, 000 businesses and government agencies, representing roughly 631, 000 workites, according to several experts. In contrast, the White House’s data is analyzed using the Current Population Survey, which includes 60 000 eligible households.

The center-right American Action Forum president, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, said, “I always trust the payroll series more.

The liberal Center for Economic and Policy Research cofounder, Dean Baker, agrees, claiming that the results of the smaller household survey are “extremely erratic.”

Additionally, this dataset indicates that President Joe Biden’s salary increased by $884 during his most recent two years. This undermines the notion that Trump has made extraordinary gains.

Factoring inflation into the equation

Both of these measures overestimate worker gains because they do not take inflation into account.

Another statistic, from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, uses the smaller sample-size household survey and takes inflation into account. It is the median usual weekly inflation-adjusted earnings for full-time and salaried employees, 16 years and over.

Between the final quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2025, workers’ pay increased by $1 per week in accordance with this metric.

After inflation, this adds up to a $ 26 pay increase multiplied by 26 weeks.

Our decision

Trump claimed that the typical American worker has already seen a $500 wage increase this year.

According to wage data, the median wage for full-time employees increased by a cumulative $546 during the first two years of 2025, according to the White House.

A slightly higher increase in the average US worker’s pay over that time period, or $121 over six months, is revealed in a different set of statistics, which economists believe is more accurate because it was gathered from a much larger sample that included full- and part-time workers and has less volatility.

When inflation is taken into account, full-time employees’ take-home pay increased by about $ 26 in the first six months of 2025, despite inflation.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Kirsty Gallacher ‘regrets’ doing show after ‘a lot of trauma’

In 2015, radio and television star Kirsty Gallacher danced with Brendan Cole, but she now admits to regret saying “yes” to the invitation due to what was going on in her personal life.

Kirsty loved the show, but wasn’t in the best place personally(Image: BBC)

Kirsty Gallacher regrets doing the show now that she has divorced from her 14-year partner. She already signed up for the 13th season of Strictly Come Dancing. She claims she wasn’t in the best place at the time when she and her professional dance partner Brendan Cole first danced together in 2014 and would like to try again.

After 14 years of marriage and 14 years together, the global radio host was still dealing with the emotional strain of her divorce from her rugby player husband Paul Sampson. She split up and gave birth to their two sons, Jude, 15, and Oscar, 18, who are now both single.

Kirsty and I exchanged a candid photo opportunity during which we spoke, “I just got divorced, there was a lot of trauma there, so I probably regret saying yes that year.” However, I would have preferred to have done it once more as the situation had improved. I had a really difficult time managing my personal life.

READ MORE: Myleene Klass has launched the perfect ‘warm and fashionable’ trench coat for autumn

Kirsty Gallacher and Paul Sampson
Kirsty and Paul got married in 2010 and were together for a total of 14 years(Image: Getty)

Kirsty has previously revealed she was asked to compete on the iconic BBC show a year earlier, but was very much in the midst of her split so declined the offer. Chatting to Gabby Logan on her The Mid Point podcast in 2023, Kirsty recalled how difficult she found the juggle of coping with her changing home life, and the demands of the Strictly schedule.

She shared on The Mid Point with Gabby Logan podcast: “I was a wreck. I was skinny as a rake. I was running on empty, running from dance rehearsals with the lovely Brendan Cole to Sky Sports to rehearsals at night. It was more than exhausting, emotionally, physically.”

Strictly Come Dancing 2015 - Kirsty & Brendan take their final dance
Kirsty and Brendan performed their final dance in Week 6 of the competition(Image: Guy Levy)

After giving a Charleston performance in the dance-off between Jamelia, the popstar, and her professional partner Tristan MacManus, Kirsty and Brendan were eliminated in Week 6. After the votes were cast, Kirsty thanked the Superstar singer for their support, saying, “It’s been a wonderful experience, but Jamelia deserves it more than I do, and I really mean that because she’s a very natural dancer.”

Kirsty now claims that she regrets not participating in the show, which she claims she enjoys, but rather that it was the right series at the wrong time, and that she would have loved to have had another Glitterball experience. It’s still difficult to imagine how she would have the time now that she’s happily loved-up once more with her ex-rugby partner Darren Clayton and is now hosting her own Gold Radio Drive show every weekday at 4pm.

She also acknowledges that she is much more aware of how to take care of herself now that her daughter, who is eight years old, is the “best girl” and that she is “the best girl” in addition to the demands of her career and life as a mother of two.

Kirsty Gallacher
Kirsty had added radio presenter to her list of talents(Image: Reach PLC / James Rudland)
Kirsty Gallacher and Darren Clayton
Kirsty says Darren fits in to her life perfectly(Image: Instagram)

She explains that when my battery starts to run out, my anxiety rises. I’ve discovered that I need breaks because I can put myself on a “hamster wheel,” and after that, my energy levels drop, which is bad.

She continues, “My dad is quite like me. I can overthink things and become concerned because he is a perfectionist, as are I. However, I believe you must be a control freak when you’ve been a single mother. Who else will be if you don’t have complete control over everything? “

Kirsty is anticipating her 50th birthday in January, as she’s known, with her “her ducks in a row.” And she doesn’t seem even remotely unimpressed, declaring, “I’ve made peace with it – by this point, I couldn’t give a monkey’s!” I have a wonderful partner and a wonderful family, and they are all in a row, as much as they can be. I’m in good health. I feel better now than ever.

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Weekdays from 4pm, listen to Kirsty Gallacher’s Gold Radio Drive on the air.

Storage Wars star ‘unrecognisable’ after three-year absence from hit reality show

One of the show’s best members, who was unrecognizable from his heyday in the show’s first season, which premiered in 2010 was a big hit, was back in the studio.

A Storage Wars star has thrilled fans after returning to the show’s most recent season (stock image)(Image: Tommaso Boddi, Getty Images)

Unrecognizable from his early days on the show, a Storage Wars star who returned to the show after a three-year break. Fans have praised the beloved reality TV star as one of the most entertaining cast members, and he has also received praise for his return.

Fans of the seasoned storage flipper’s Instagram account have been kept informed of what he’s up to, and many are surprised to see him now. The star has been a regular fixture on the show, known as The Mogul to fans. He made three appearances over the course of the fourth, but he only made one more as a stand-in for the fifth through the seventh season.

He left the show a second time in 2020, but he’s still back five years later. Many are surprised to see how well Dave Hester is doing now that he has spent so much time on the show.

The Mogul is best known for his outrageous bids on television and his iconic catchphrase, “yuuuuuup.” One fan wrote, “Yuuuuup love watching you Dave on Storage Wars,” in a recent Instagram post from Dave. “

He [looks] good, another added. “Love to see Dave and the Storage Wars crew eating together,” another shared. “

After Hester’s initial critique of the producers led to the cancellation of his show’s first season, saying they had stored items in storage units to increase the drama.

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 13: Dave Hester attend A&E's 'Storage Wars' Lockbuster Tour at Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE on June 13, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)
Dave Hester was praised by fans as being the biggest draw for the show (stock image)(Image: Tibrina Hobson, Getty Images)

The star filed a lawsuit against A&& after alleging producers were staging the show. E for unlawful termination of a contract in 2013. Hester returned to the show just a year after a settlement was reached in 2014.

Fans were delighted when Hester’s third season of the show kicked off earlier this year. Viewers believe producers realized Hester was the show’s main attraction in a post to the r/TodayILearned page.

One wrote: “They quickly realised he was the main draw of the show and brought him back. Money makes the world go round.”

Another continued, “I used to watch it religiously, but I remember one of the episodes that squelched my interest. Nobody was permitted to touch anything or enter the unit once the doors were open, according to their policy. Only what you could see from the outside was up for bid. “

A third fan suggested that Hester’s television show provided a true look at how storage units were used.

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Was Hester the one who operated like a thrift store and demonstrated how he actually made money when the units had just c*** inside them, the fan questioned?

To be able to make any money, he said, “it was a slow grind of taking things worth $5 and selling them in his store.” People were depressed because they believed they would have weekly units filled with rare baseball card collections and sports cars. “

100lb sisters’ Tammy Slaton shares unique wedding plans with fiancée Andrea Dalton

Tammy Slaton has made hints about potential big changes as she discusses unanticipated wedding plans, giving her fans a buzz of anticipation.

Tammy looks happily in love with Andrea Dalton(Image: TikTok/ @tammy.l.slaton)

1000-lb Sisters star Tammy Slaton revealed earlier this year that she’s found love again, three years after the tragic passing of her husband Caleb Wilingham – and has now shared their quirky wedding plans.

The 38-year-old, who identifies as pansexual, surprised fans when she shared on the show’s seventh season that she’s now dating a woman, Andrea Dalton. Just a couple of months after going public with their relationship, Tammy revealed she and Andrea are engaged and have started planning their wedding.

Recently, they took to TikTok to ask fans for creative ideas and were thrilled by a Kentucky Wildcats basketball-themed concept, featuring a basketball court dancefloor, themed cake, and bridesmaids dressed in sports jerseys. “OMG so beautiful, thank you so much,” Tammy gushed, clearly excited by the unusual idea. Though no wedding date has been set yet, it’s clear the couple are considering some unique touches for their big day.

The happy couple is planning their unconvential wedding
The happy couple is planning their unconvential wedding (Image: TikTok/ @tammy.l.slaton)
Tammy responded positively to a fan comment
Tammy responded positively to a fan comment(Image: TikTok/ @tammy.l.slaton)

Only seven months after their wedding in November 2022, Tammy’s husband Caleb passed away suddenly at the age of 40. Tammy acknowledged that this was her first relationship since losing Caleb after his death and that she had never been in a relationship with a man.

In a confessional on 1000-lb Sisters, the TV star admitted she hadn’t told her family about dating a woman, expecting some strong opinions. “I think my family probably has more opinions than the world has a**holes,” she joked.

She continued, “A few years ago, I came out as pansexual, but now that Caleb has passed, I just don’t want to be with men anymore.” Tammy remained confident in her new relationship despite any potential conflict.

In a podcast interview in June, Tammy revealed that she and Andrea have been together for “roughly three years” and made a formal announcement about their engagement. The couple has been living together in Kentucky ever since they met on a dating app and have since become best friends.

Despite their difficulties, the family is celebrating the family’s year with the addition of her sister Amy, who recently got engaged.

Tammy, who received the news of Caleb’s passing via text from a friend, has also been open about the agonizing moment. She made jewelry from his ashes, including a musical note necklace and a ring, to comfort her and keep him in mind.

Tammy said, “Knowing that he’s with me makes it easier to pass the day,” adding that watching previous seasons of the show makes her think about happier times.

Recently, Tammy and Amy have also been mourning the loss of their cousin Katie, who died aged 37 after battling an aggressive stomach cancer. Katie was also a familiar face on 1000-lb Sisters.

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Their sister Amanda Halterman shared the heartbreaking news last week. She stated, “It’s] with a completely crushed heart and spirit that I have to post this. Yesterday, my little cousin and I sat down at Jesus’ feet. She displayed love that was generous and freely given, making her a force to reckon with. adding, “She was my best friend and the life of the party.”

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Revenge & redemption – Sabalenka v Anisimova in final

Images courtesy of Getty

US Open 2025

Dates: August 24 through September 7 in Flushing Meadows, New York

Both Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova leant back and exhaled powerful roars of relief after winning the US Open championship.

This year, both have experienced hardship. Both have been within a short of glory, but they both suffer agonizingly poor.

The current and former world number one Sabalenka won’t play in the Australian and French Open finals this year.

In her first major final, Anisimova froze after suffering a brutal 6-0 6-0 defeat at Wimbledon just 56 days prior.

In order to win a fourth major singles title, Sabalenka must overcome the ghosts of this year’s Grand Slams, just like she must with Anisimova.

Both Sabalenka and Anisimova are powerful players with fearsome ball-striking prowess on the court. However, the two have a tendency to display their emotions and, in some cases, allow them to take control.

This year already, the two have squared off. Before American Anisimova stunned the Wimbledon semi-finalists, Belarusian Sabalenka won the final-16 at Roland Garros.

Emotional control is essential to Sabalenka’s success.

Aryna Sabalenka gestures during her semi-final win over Jessica PegulaEPA

Sabalenka wears her heart on her sleeve as a compelling character both on and off the court.

While entertaining to tennis fans, it has cost in the big stages.

American opponents have suffered devastating defeats in all three of their Grand Slams this year. Before Anisimova took the court again at Wimbledon, Madison Keys outshot Sabalenka in Australia, Coco Gauff outlasted her in Paris, and Madison Keys outshot Sabalenka.

Sabalenka’s eagerness to defeat her foes can make her wildly inept, and her passion and desperation to win frequently turn into frustration and fury.

Sometimes, she has infused that emotion into her words. After telling Gauff that the American had won the French Open final “not because she played incredible], but because I made all those mistakes,” she apologized.

Sabalenka promises never to repeat that error.

“I learned that lesson, and I’ll never act in that manner,” he said. She said on Thursday, “It’s not me.”

“I felt incredibly emotional. I let my emotions rule, but that’s not who I am.

Sabalenka must master that emotion, especially when facing a divided home crowd, to succeed in New York.

After losing in the SW19 semi-final, Sabalenka remarked that Anisimova was “more brave” with her shots and that she needs to remind herself that she is at the top of the rankings in the crucial moments.

On the women’s tour, Sabalenka continues to be a top player. She holds a 3,292-point lead at the top of the rankings after winning 55 matches this year, winning three titles, and claiming three titles.

Since Martina Hingis in 1999, she is the first woman to reach the finals of the Australian and US Opens for three consecutive years, and she is also the first woman to do so in a calendar year since Serena Williams in 2016.

Paying off is Anisimova’s “shift of attitude”

Amanda Anisimova celebrates victory over Naomi Osaka in the US Open semi-finalsImages courtesy of Getty

The pinnacle of the game is for any player to reach a Grand Slam final.

After failing to qualify the previous year, Anisimova made it through the summer.

However, it is simply amazing to have won a second major final just two months after SW19, where everyone had suffered a demoralizing defeat.

Anisimova’s US Open appearance has been a remarkable display of character and resilience. Her valiant resolve made her a fearsome adversary in addition to surviving such a brutal defeat.

Her three-hour tussle with Osaka was caused by her aggressiveness and fearless ball-striking, while grit and her sensational backhand saw her triumph over Swiatek.

After winning over Osaka, Anisimova praised her efforts, particularly in terms of her mental game and unwavering perseverance.

“She’s playing better than me, and I can’t really do anything,” I thought.

Despite being very difficult, I made every effort to stay in the match.

Anisimova acknowledged that this may not have been the case a few years ago, making it the youngest woman to reach the Wimbledon and US Open finals in a season since Serena and Venus Williams in 2002.

But she’s changed her mindset after a seven-month break from tennis two years ago.

Every match at Wimbledon was a surprise to me, even though I was there. Every match I won shocked me, she said.

related subjects

  • Tennis

Conlan keen on St Patrick’s Day world title fight

Images courtesy of Getty

After claiming his second fight of his comeback to the ring on Friday night, Michael Conlan says his goal is to fight for a world title on St. Patrick’s Day in either New York or Dublin.

With a stunning right hand, the Belfast boxer won his 20th fight and put a stop to Jack Bateson in the fourth round at Dublin’s 3Arena.

The 33-year-old claimed the vacant WBC International featherweight title after the match, but he later admitted to telling BBC Sport NI that his sights were now firmly set on a third successive victory over Leigh Wood and Luis Alberto Lopez.

It’s the only thing I want in boxing, according to the boxing world champion. Conlan, who sabbashed from the ring for 16 months before defeating Asad Asif Khan in March, is the only reason I’m still boxing.

“You can earn a lot of money along the way, but I’m looking for a world title.” If not, it must be a significant financial investment.

“In the right place at the right moment”

Conlan praised his coach Grant Smith after the match, and praised the fight’s momentum going into the punch that was decisive, which saw the fight come to an end with 10 seconds left.

We figured it was best to start working right away rather than get carried away too quickly. He said, “We knew we would eventually accomplish it.”

Change stances, turn from the traditional southpaw to the traditional, touch, jab, and right hand over the top. We’ve completed the work, landed, and the game is over.

“I’m buzzing. Being a part of the new team, set-up, and system, I really enjoy it. Simply put, I have the assurance that I am in the right place at the right time. I’m delighted to say so.

Conlan says that because of his boxing background, Dublin can rival his birthplace of Belfast in terms of fame.

“I want to emulate Belfast in Dublin.” The talent we have is unbelievable, he said.

related subjects

  • Boxing