Trump’s Economic Hitman Plots 2026 Revival

Person in suit giving thumbs up gesture.

Larry Kudlow’s vision of a Trumpian economic boom, rooted in supply-side triumphs, signals renewed prosperity as President Trump continues in the White House in 2026.

Story Highlights

Kudlow, once a tariff skeptic, embraced Trump’s “America First” strategy, calling tariffs a path to a “pot of gold” in trade deals.
Appointed National Economic Council Director in 2018 after Gary Cohn’s resignation, Kudlow stabilized pro-growth messaging amid trade tensions.
His supply-side advocacy—low taxes, deregulation—drove record job gains, wage increases, and market highs during Trump’s first term.
From Democrat to Reaganite, Kudlow’s career exemplifies conservative economic revival now poised for a 2026 encore.

Kudlow’s Rise as Trump’s Economic Voice

Larry Kudlow, born in 1947, earned a history degree from the University of Rochester in 1969. His career spanned the New York Fed in the 1970s, chief economist at Bear Stearns from 1979 to 1994, and Reagan’s OMB associate director in the 1980s. As Arthur Laffer’s protégé, Kudlow championed supply-side economics through the Laffer Curve, arguing low taxes unleash growth. This foundation propelled him from CNBC host to Trump campaign advisor in 2016, praising the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for its pro-growth impact.

LARRY KUDLOW: A Trumpian Economic Boom Is Brewing https://t.co/OM3Jx50lnq

— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) December 18, 2025

Navigating Tariffs and Trade Triumphs

In March 2018, Gary Cohn resigned as NEC Director over Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs, which Kudlow initially labeled “tax hikes.” Days later, President Trump appointed Kudlow to the role. Kudlow quickly adapted, framing tariffs as “Trumpian negotiating” tactics that yielded breakthroughs in China talks, WTO efforts, and NAFTA’s replacement with USMCA. This pivot bridged free-trade principles with protectionism, stabilizing White House economic messaging during tense 2018 trade wars.

Kudlow coordinated budgets, infrastructure, and trade policy as the economic “national security advisor.” He navigated tensions with protectionists like Peter Navarro and Robert Lighthizer, while aligning with Trump’s deregulation push. Wall Street hailed him as a “stable voice,” contrasting Navarro’s hawkishness. His optimism boosted markets, with the Dow surpassing 30,000 by 2020.

Proven Economic Wins Under Trump

Trump’s first term, amplified by Kudlow’s counsel, delivered 7 million new jobs—exceeding projections threefold. Middle-class family incomes rose nearly $6,000, five times prior administration gains. Unemployment hit 3.5%, the lowest in 50 years, with 40 months of more job openings than hirings. The economy added 160 million employed Americans, a record. Deregulation slashed eight rules for every new one, saving households $3,100 yearly and businesses $50 billion in compliance costs.

Opportunity Zones attracted $75 billion, creating 500,000 jobs in distressed areas. Post-lockdown GDP surged 33.1% in Q3 2020, the fastest ever, adding 12 million jobs. Rural investments topped $1.3 billion for broadband. These victories crushed Biden-era inflation and overspending, validating Kudlow’s “growth angels” from tax cuts. Now, with Trump back, Kudlow’s brewing boom promises to restore American prosperity against globalist failures.