Larry Lindsey, pictured in 2002. | Mark Wilson/Getty Images
He called Donald Trump a “total narcissist.” Now he may be advising the president on economic policy in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
Larry Lindsey, director of the National Economic Council for President George W. Bush, was named part of President Donald Trump’s cryptic White House economic advisory group on Tuesday to help deal with the fallout of the coronavirus crisis. It was a surprise announcement, considering Lindsey’s past displays of contempt for the president.
Lindsey has previously used colorful language to express his disdain for Trump, saying he even hired two psychiatrists to remotely analyze the president.
Speaking with House Republican leadership and top committee Republicans last year, Lindsey called Trump “a 10-out-of-10 narcissist,” POLITICO Playbook reported last May. He went so far as to say the president didn’t get enough attention from his mother in his childhood.
Lindsey claimed at the time that Trump was unable to make long-term plans, with the long-term decision-making abilities of an “empty chair.” Lindsey made the comments while presenting on China, and conceded that he felt Trump was in a good position to negotiate with the Chinese president, Xi Jinping.
It’s unclear what role Lindsey will play in Trump’s group of influencers, business executives and faith leaders that he enlisted to help get the economy back on track. He will be one of nearly 200 such advisers, listed under the heading “Thought Leader.” Lindsey has previously served as a governor on the Federal Reserve Board and advised three presidents on economic policy: Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush.
Other members of the group, titled the “Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups,” include JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Trump has talked up the group for days, but offered little insight into what role it would play or how it will function when he announced its members Tuesday.
“These bipartisan groups of American leaders will work together with the White House to chart the path forward toward a future of unparalleled American prosperity,” said a White House news release announcing the members of the group. “The health and wealth of America is the primary goal, and these groups will produce a more independent, self-sufficient, and resilient Nation.”
A spokeswoman for Lindsey did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday night. A White House spokesman declined to comment on Lindsey’s appointment.
Economist who called Trump a ‘total narcissist’ is appointed to coronavirus council
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