Is Gary Cohn Dead Man Walking In Trump’s White House?

Gary Cohn Image by Getty Images
A newly fraying relationship between President Trump and top White House economic adviser Gary Cohn has raised questions about how long Cohn will stay in his job, say two people with close ties to the White House.
One source said concern had grown among Cohn’s allies over the past 24 hours that he might be pressured to leave.
Trump had mentioned Cohn in July for the Federal Reserve Chairman job. Cohn resigned as president of Goldman Sachs to join the new administration.
“The calculus has shifted for Gary. He’s gone, essentially, from untouchable to possibly being bounced out,” the source said. “The message is clear that suddenly Cohn’s job in the White House has real downside risk.”
Cohn crossed Trump last month when he criticized the president in a Financial Times interview for his response to the violence at a rally organized by white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which one woman died.
One source close to the White House said Trump wanted to fire Cohn. “Hates him. But that could be ephemeral,” the source said.
Cohn, who is Jewish, told the newspaper the administration “must do better” in condemning neo-Nazis and white supremacists.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
