economy
January 12, 2026
The Respected Economist Turned Trump Propagandist
Kevin Hassett might do Trump’s bidding at the Federal Reserve, marking a new stage in the president’s control over the American economy.
TL;DR
- The chair of the Federal Reserve has significant influence over the U.S. economy, controlling monetary policy, interest rates, and bank regulation.
- Kevin Hassett, Donald Trump's National Economic Council director, is a leading candidate to succeed Jerome Powell as Fed chair.
- Hassett was previously lauded by economists for his academic credentials and bipartisan appeal.
- However, recent observations suggest Hassett has become a strong supporter of Trump, willing to alter his positions and spread misinformation.
- This change in behavior raises concerns about his potential to undermine the Fed's independence and act on presidential directives.
- Hassett's pre-Trump career was characterized by conservative economic views, including deficit reduction, support for immigration, and free trade.
- He previously criticized Trump's protectionist trade proposals, comparing them to policies that led to the Great Depression.
- Hassett has also had past instances of questionable economic predictions, such as forecasting rapid stock market growth before the dot-com crash and warning of hyperinflation during a recession.
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