By Anita Hamilton
Former National Economic Council director and current TV host Larry Kudlow is in the mix for two top economic roles in the Trump administration, The Wall Street Journal reported, saying the men met in Florida last week.
The first role is the Cabinet-level job of secretary of the Treasury, a possibility that hadn't been expected. Kudlow hadn't come up as among the top contenders, who include Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, fund manager Scott Bessent, and former Trump trade advisor Robert Lighthizer.
Trump is meeting with Bessent today, Bloomberg reported.
On the betting site Polymarket, Kudlow's odds of being chosen for Treasury secretary had risen from near zero earlier in the day to 24% by 1 p.m. Eastern time. Bessent remained the front-runner at 38%, with Lutnick's odds falling to 18%.
But Kudlow's odds fell to 4% after Bloomberg reported that Kudlow had told the transition team that he isn't interested in a position.
The other role is director of the National Economic Council, which coordinates policymaking on economic issues and gives advice to the president. Kudlow held the role during Trump's first term before joining Fox.
Kudlow's political experience dates back to the Reagan Administration. He worked at the Office of Management and Budget from 1981 to 1985.
Kudlow currently host an eponymous show on Fox Business. He didn't immediately respond to an attempt to reach him for comment via Fox News. Bloomberg said he had declined to comment.
"President-Elect Trump is making decisions on who will serve in his second Administration. Those decisions will be announced when they are made," Karoline Leavitt, spokeswoman for the Trump-Vance transition, told Barron's.
Write to Anita Hamilton at anita.hamilton@barrons.com
This content was created by Barron's, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. Barron's is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 15, 2024 14:16 ET (19:16 GMT)
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