Economic analyst and conservative commentator Larry Kudlow is the leading contender to replace Gary Cohn atop the National Economic Council, a source familiar with President Donald Trump’s thinking tells The Daily Caller.
The source cautioned however that the offer had not been extended formally to Kudlow and warned that Trump would still change his mind. The White House declined to offer comment to TheDC.
Kudlow will reportedly take the job if he is offered it, a source familiar with his thinking told CNBC Monday. CNBC’s source reiterated that Kudlow was the “leading contender” for the newly open position.
BREAKING: Larry Kudlow is the leading contender to replace Gary Cohn & would take Natl. Economic Council job if offered to him, CNBC’s @JimCramer has learned. https://t.co/0FgexHFla9
— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) March 12, 2018
Politico’s chief economic correspondent Ben White similarly reported that Kudlow was likely to be appointed by Trump.
Yes it’s probably @larry_kudlow for NEC Director. But nothing is done till Trump announces it. Story coming shortly.
— Ben White (@morningmoneyben) March 12, 2018
Kudlow worked in the Reagan administration and is not aligned with Trump on all economic policy issues. The TV analyst blasted Trump’s decision to recently enact steel and aluminum tariffs but tampered his criticism, predicting that the tariffs will leave many U.S. allies exempt.
“You knock them in the teeth and get their attention,” he said Sunday. “And then you kind of work out a deal and I think that’s what he’s done. My hats off to him. He had me really worried. Now I’m not,”