Conservative analyst Lawrence Kudlow accepted President Donald Trump’s offer to be the director of the National Economic Council, the White House confirmed.
March 14 (UPI) — Conservative media analyst Lawrence Kudlow accepted President Donald Trump ‘s offer to be the director of the National Economic Council, the White House confirmed Wednesday.
The 70-year-old replaces Gary Cohn, who stepped down last week after Trump announced he would impose a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum.
« Larry Kudlow was offered, and accepted, the position of assistant to the president for economic policy and director of the National Economic Council, » a statement from White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said. « We will work to have an orderly transition and will keep everyone posted on the timing of him officially assuming the role. »
Kudlow told The Wall Street Journal he was surprised Trump offered him the job.
« I thought he was calling to bawl me out because I was so critical, » Kudlow said of a phone call he received from the president Sunday.
Kudlow has shown support for the Republican-led tax overhaul and Trump’s push for deregulation, but they differ on trade.
« The president wants to hear me, even if we disagree. He told me that several times, » he said.
Kudlow has been a commentator on CNBC and has his own radio show. He was a budget aide for former President Ronald Reagan and has had jobs on Wall Street.
