Storify by Todd Wasserman

Jack Welch's Jobs Number Conspiracy Theory

Former General Electric CEO Jack Welch floated a theory shortly after the Bureau of Labor Statistics published job numbers showing that unemployment dipped below 8%. Welch was quickly criticized.

Welch tweeted just minutes after the numbers were announced:
Jack Welch @jack_welch
Unbelievable jobs numbers..these Chicago guys will do anything..can't debate so change numbers
Fri, Oct 05 2012 05:35:37
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Pundits and critics were quick to pounce:
felix salmon @felixsalmon
I'll give @jack_welch this: he is now way ahead of @rupertmurdoch in the crazy-old-man-on-twitter league tables
Fri, Oct 05 2012 05:45:37
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Austan Goolsbee @Austan_Goolsbee
love ya jack but here you've lost your mind @jack_welch Unbelievable jobs #s. the Chicago guys will do anything..can't debate, change #s
Fri, Oct 05 2012 06:10:03
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Kai Ryssdal @kairyssdal
.@jack_welch is an idiot.
Fri, Oct 05 2012 05:58:55
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U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis gave no credence to Welch's claims.
Ed Schultz @edshow
On cnbc Labor Sec Hilda Solis says she's "insulted" by insinuation that BLS fixes numbers. She dismisses Welch tweet.
Fri, Oct 05 2012 06:42:10
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Welch then disappeared for the rest of the day.
felix salmon @felixsalmon
Apparently @jack_welch “is now unavailable for the rest of the day in meetings”: bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-0…
Fri, Oct 05 2012 06:23:10
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