The resignation of Gary Cohn as National Economic Council director Tuesday night triggered immediate speculation that Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross would be his successor.
Ross, 80, is considered one of the President Donald Trump’s closest friends in the Cabinet. The billionaire investor has had a major hand in every administration economic initiative from the Trump tax reform package to the decision to impose major tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum that appears to have triggered Cohn's exit.
If Ross were to move from Cabinet to White House, sources told Newsmax, the early favorite to succeed him as secretary of commerce is Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon. A former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment and two-time Republican U.S. Senate nominee in Connecticut, McMahon also is considered a close Trump family friend.
The departure of Cohn, former Goldman Sachs chief executive officer, was first predicted by Newsmax Jan. 16. At that time, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders denied Cohn was leaving and insisted "Gary has stated he’s committed to being here."
Since then, his commitment to "being here" has reportedly been shaken by disagreements over policy with the president — notably over the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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