The US president-elected is reportedly looking at inviting Larry Kudlow back to the White House
Former US National Economic Council director Larry Kudlow on Fox News, New York, March 5, 2024. © Getty Images / Roy Rochlin US President-elect Donald Trump is considering Fox Business Network host Larry Kudlow for a senior economic policy position in his administration, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter. Kudlow served as the director of the National Economic Council (NEC) for three years during Trump’s first term in office. Trump’s advisers now see him as a contender to lead the NEC or the Treasury, the WSJ said. Kudlow has kept in regular touch with Trump, and was reportedly a guest at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida this week. Bloomberg cited its own source on Friday, however, as saying that Kudlow told Trump’s team that he does not want a job in his administration. Kudlow declined to comment, Bloomberg said.
According to the WSJ, the 77-year-old financial news commentator is being considered more heavily due to a “cold war” between two other candidates for senior economic posts in Trump’s White House. The contenders are Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick and hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, both of whom made “aggressive plays” to lead the Treasury, which “irritated” Trump, the magazine said, citing unnamed advisers. Lutnick, as co-chair of the Trump transition team, reportedly approached the president-elect about the Treasury position directly. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has publicly endorsed Bessent as an “outstanding” choice for Treasury secretary.
Additionally, Trump has discussed Robert Lighthizer, who served as trade envoy during his first term, and Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan for senior economic roles, according to the WSJ. Earlier reports suggested that Trump would again pick Lighthizer for trade czar. Trump has promised an aggressive tariff policy aimed at securing US economic interests, especially with regard to China. During his first term in office, Trump unleashed a trade war against Beijing, with both countries imposing tariffs and sanctions.
