Former President Donald Trump faced widespread backlash on Sunday after admitting that he refused to pay his workers overtime. The admission came during a rally in Pennsylvania, where Trump doubled down on a controversial statement he made recently about his disdain for paying overtime to employees.
At the rally, Trump said, “I hated to give overtime. I hated it. I shouldn’t say this, but I’d get other people in. I wouldn’t pay.” This comment, made in front of a swing-state audience, quickly sparked outrage among labor advocates and political figures, with many accusing Trump of showing blatant disregard for workers’ rights.
Critics were quick to respond. Republicans opposed to Trump called it “a rare moment of honesty” from the former president, with the group pointing out, “Trump admitted he stiffed his workers.” The accountability organization American Bridge 21st Century also expressed disbelief, tweeting, “Unreal. Trump proves once again that he’s no friend of working Americans, saying that he ‘hated to give overtime’ and that instead of paying it, he’d bring new staff in.”
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the largest national trade union center in the U.S., highlighted that Trump’s stance on overtime isn’t new. In their statement, they emphasized, “This isn’t a gaffe and he didn’t just misspeak — Trump said this in Michigan on Friday and Pennsylvania today. Trump cut overtime for millions of Americans as President — and his Project 2025 agenda will do it again.”
Project 2025, a policy agenda tied to Trump’s campaign, has drawn significant criticism for its potential impact on workers’ rights, particularly overtime pay. Popular liberal commentator @JoJoFromJerz noted, “Donald Trump just bragged about stiffing his employees of overtime pay, and Project 2025 basically does away with it entirely. Vote accordingly.” Democratic Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta also weighed in, adding that Trump’s agenda is focused on “cutting overtime pay for hardworking Americans,” contrasting it with Vice President Kamala Harris, who “will stand up for working families.”
Even within the White House, officials reacted to Trump’s comments. Emmy Ruiz, the political director, called the remarks “not surprising” and added, “Union scab. Always looking out for himself.”
As Trump pushes his Project 2025 policy ideas, critics argue that his views on workers’ rights and overtime pay highlight a troubling disregard for the well-being of American workers. The former president’s admission has only fueled the debate over his treatment of labor during both his business career and time in office.
