On Air Debate Over Economic Data
Richard Quest challenged Batya Ungar-Sargon to justify her assertion that prices have fallen, asking how viewers should trust her figures.
Intervention by Representative LoPresti
Representative LoPresti intervened, saying the core issue is the data itself and noting the president has questioned its integrity — a point he said he also shared.
Ungar-Sargon's Response
Ungar-Sargon urged Quest to address her specific numbers, insisting the statistics she cited came from the Treasury Department.
Quest's Critique of Data Sources
Quest replied that reliance on Treasury data alone was insufficient, and asked how anyone could be sure those figures were accurate.
Suggestion for a Bipartisan Review
He argued the proper response would have been to form a bipartisan commission to review the statistics, rather than dismissing the Bureau of Labor Statistics chief and replacing them with a partisan appointee.
Dispute Over Data Engagement
Ungar-Sargon dismissed that line of argument as a distraction and pressed again for engagement with her data. Quest rejected the claim, saying the iss...