White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett on Sunday dismissed warnings of emerging economic trouble, despite rising inflation, elevated gasoline prices, and weak consumer sentiment data.
During an interview with CBS’ “Face the Nation,” host Nancy Cordes asked Hassett whether the U.S. economy showed signs of distress. Hassett responded: “No, I don’t think there are storm clouds gathering at all.”
The director highlighted robust employment metrics and projected economic growth as evidence of stability. He contended that negative consumer sentiment data was driven by political factors rather than economic conditions. “I actually think we should stop calling it consumer sentiment and start calling it political sentiment,” Hassett said. “It’s really a political variable and not an economic variable.”
Hassett cited several positive indicators: consumer confidence at its highest level since early in the year, Atlanta Federal Reserve projections for second-quarter GDP growth exceeding 4 percent, and initial unemployment claims at levels last seen during the 1960s.
When Cordes questioned rising gasoline prices that reached a four-year high during Memorial Day weekend, Hassett defended White House forecasts that oil supply disruptions would be temporary. He stated: “Once the straits are open, then the tankers are going to go back, and they’re going to refill the refineries almost right away.” Hassett added most global refineries would resume full operations within one to two months.
Asked when the Strait of Hormuz would reopen, Hassett redirected the question to President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “That’s something for the president and Marco Rubio and the Iranians to work out.”
The interview also addressed controversy surrounding a proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund that has drawn criticism from some Republicans and complicated congressional negotiations on broader government funding legislation. Hassett acknowledged frustration among GOP lawmakers but asserted Congress would continue advancing President Trump’s agenda under House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La: “Congress has delivered over and over under the leadership of Mike Johnson.”
Cordes referenced warnings from The Wall Street Journal editorial board about risks to Republican control of Congress in midterm elections if Trump’s political priorities were not addressed. Hassett defended both White House security upgrades and the anti-weaponization initiative, citing a recent shooting incident near the White House as justification for increased spending. “Of course, we’ve got to make the White House more secure,” he stated. Hassett further accused previous administrations of “weaponizing government against President Trump.”
