Recently, Fox News host Jesse Watters received backlash after messing up some very basic math and insulting fast food workers in the process.
PBD Podcast / youtube.com / Via Twitter: @therecount
While speaking with Patrick Bet-David on his PBD podcast, Watters and Bet-David discussed California raising its minimum wage to $20 an hour for fast food workers – a decision Watters called “so crazy.”
After being asked his opinion, Watters poses: “If you’re making $20 an hour to work at a fast-food restaurant, is that six figures?”
He’s quickly corrected by Bet-David, who says it’s about “40K a year full-time.” Which, ya know, is A LOT less than the $100,000 Watters initially thought.
But that flub didn’t stop Watters from pressing forward. He says, “OK $40K a year… and then if your husband or wife is also there, you’re making $100,000 as a family – both working at McDonald’s.”
Obviously, 40 + 40 does not equal 100. So Bet-David corrects him again: “80 grand.”
Even though Watters tried and failed twice at getting the numbers to fit his apparent $100,000 narrative, he still pressed on. “That’s crazy,” he said in response to a family of fast-food workers making $80,000 before taxes. “That is crazy because that job really doesn’t require much.”
It’s important to note:
Someone making $40,000 a year in California brings home about $32,000 after taxes, or about $2,666 a month. Meanwhile, according to Zillow, the state’s median rent sits at $2,790 a month.
As you can imagine, people were not pleased after watching Watter’s take. Some didn’t like how he kept adjusting the situation to make the numbers work – even though they never did.
He couldn’t make his point with one person working at McDonald’s, earning an inadequate $40K a year, so he had to change it to a two income family.
— Jim Ague 😎 (@jaceague) April 11, 2024
PBD Podcast / youtube.com / Via Twitter: @jaceague
Others couldn’t fathom how out of touch someone has to be to think $20 an hour will earn someone six figures.
It’s impossible to understand, or think clearly about, the US economy if you think someone making $20 an hour is earning six figures, as Jesse Watters did. https://t.co/MDH8koZx1w
— James Surowiecki (@JamesSurowiecki) April 13, 2024
PBD Podcast / youtube.com / Via Twitter: @JamesSurowiecki
And even more pointed out that the truth – that fast food workers provide a daily service that we all have likely used at some point and benefitted from…
It’s not 6 figures, it’s about $40k. The thing is, that McDonalds worker provides a service, and is beneficial to society. Jesse Watters makes an estimated $5 million each year, and has no discernible traits that help anyone besides himself. https://t.co/EdQtXMG8En
— Tony (@TileTony) April 13, 2024
PBD Podcast / youtube.com / Via Twitter: @TileTony
…while Watters – who is rumored to make around $5 million a year – spent this day speaking incorrect math to a camera.
Proving yet again why you shouldn’t take financial advice from Fox. Here is Jesse Watters saying 20/hr (~40K before taxes) is “6 figures” and is too much to work in fast food while he sits there getting basic math wrong and makes 5 million/yr. #ncpol #makeitmakesense https://t.co/li1JtPPdn2
— Erik Davis – NC (was Legacy 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒾𝒻𝒾𝑒𝒹) (@ErikDavisforNC1) April 15, 2024
PBD Podcast / youtube.com / Via Twitter: @ErikDavisforNC1
What do you think about this? Let me know in the comments.
Source Agencies
