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3471Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban raised a red flag this weekend on Bluesky, asking a pointed question about how unemployment is affecting U.S. veterans, especially in light of anticipated federal job cuts.
His concern struck a chord online and brought renewed attention to a vulnerable population that’s deeply intertwined with government work.
“Does anyone know the unemployment rate for Veterans? If 30 percent of the federal workforce is Vets, the number could get ugly quickly,” Cuban posted on March 30.
Veteran Unemployment Is on the Rise
The U.S. Department of Labor reported that the unemployment rate for veterans rose to 4.0% in February 2025, up from 3.8% in January and a sharp increase from the 2.8% recorded in February 2024. For comparison, the rate for non-veterans also stood at 4.0% in February, up from 3.9% the month before.
While those percentages may not seem catastrophic on their own, the upward trend and the people behind those numbers are what’s raising eyebrows. Many voices online argue that the official stats don’t reflect the full reality, especially when it comes to unhoused veterans. One Bluesky user responded, “The actual number is probably higher due to the homeless not being included in the unemployment numbers.”
Another added, “Unemployment can’t rise if they stop tracking it,” alluding to fears that data transparency is being intentionally eroded.
Layoffs Are Coming—And Veterans May Be Hit Hard
Federal agencies are facing deep cuts, and veterans are likely to bear the brunt of the fallout. The Department of Veterans Affairs—one of the largest federal employers of veterans—is reportedly preparing to eliminate over 80,000 positions. Given that veterans make up about one-third of the VA’s workforce, the layoffs could disproportionately impact them.
One Bluesky user who posted detailed updates pointed out that the Trump administration’s push to shrink the federal workforce is already causing ripple effects. “The full effects of these layoffs may not yet be reflected in the data,” he wrote.
The looming job losses don’t just affect those currently employed. They could also discourage potential recruits from enlisting in the military. “The usual government career path is 20 years military, then civil service. Who wants to work in government service now?” another user commented. Others echoed concerns that benefits, stability, and even access to VA services may be at risk.
The Data by the Numbers
The Department of Labor’s breakdown paints a more nuanced picture:
- Women veterans: 4.5%, slightly higher than 4.0% for women nonveterans.
- Male veterans: 4.0%, lower than the 4.6% rate for male nonveterans.
- Veterans with a disability: 6.5% unemployment, compared to 7.7% for nonveterans with a disability.
- Veterans without a disability: Just 2.7% unemployed, compared to 3.8% for nonveterans without a disability.
- Hispanic or Latino veterans: 6.1%, higher than the 5.5% among nonveterans.
- Black or African American veterans: 3.9%, notably lower than the 6.1% among their nonveteran counterparts.
- Asian veterans: 3.8%, slightly higher than the 3.2% for Asian nonveterans.
In 2024, there were approximately 17.57 million veterans in the U.S. civilian non-institutional population. Of these, about 8.44 million were in the labor force, and 8.19 million were employed. The annual average unemployment rate for veterans in 2024 was 3.0%, nearly unchanged from the year before.
Frustration and Fear Among Vets
Mark Cuban’s post opened the floodgates. Thousands of users responded, with many identifying as veterans or family members of veterans. A mix of concern, anger, and confusion filled the replies.
“I am a veteran and these are terrifying statistics,” one user wrote. “And this current regime, in the Felon’s words, ‘couldn’t care less.'”
Another warned that the consequences will stretch far beyond just employment numbers. “By destroying the federal workforce, military recruitment and retention is going to drop drastically.”
Many questioned whether government jobs or even veterans’ benefits would be safe in the future. “Can you even be sure your veterans benefits will exist when you get out? Will the VA even exist?” a user asked.
Some responses reflected broader political fears. Several users expressed concern about the future of democracy, the risk of authoritarian policies, and a potential return of the draft. “Faced with rising unemployment and slashed services, distressed vets will make life-ending choices,” one wrote. “Challenge the christofascist, oligarch psychopaths to prove otherwise.”
Others highlighted what they see as a betrayal. “Many Vets voted for Trump because they never thought they would be touched. I am having trouble feeling sympathy,” one user wrote. That comment drew backlash from those who called for empathy and a more nuanced understanding of how disinformation and manipulation impact voting behavior.
Cuban’s original question received more than 22,000 likes and 4,000 reposts. Whether it results in policy change or deeper media scrutiny remains to be seen. But the post clearly struck a chord with many—especially those who feel left behind by the very institutions they once served.
“Hiring veterans is a win-win as far as I’m concerned… we help them—they (continue to) help us,” one user added.
In the end, the numbers may not look alarming on their own, but the stories behind them—and the context of what’s coming—are what truly raised the alarm.
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