On Wednesday, Fox News released a poll showing that, as we approach the midterms, Democrats have a 22 point lead on who can better handle income inequality, and significant leads on other issues. On his Wednesday show, Fox Business Network host Larry Kudlow, who served as Assistant to the President for Economic Policy in the first Trump administration, wasn't shy about pressing a member of the GOP leadership on the economy and more
Kudlow got things started in his opening commentary, The Riff, with, "Call it swag, swagger, rizz, aura, or just plain messaging, but the GOP doesn't have it." He continued, focusing on his area of expertise.
KUDLOW: No swag. They've lost their mojo. We're not draining the swamp by getting rid of all the fraudulent corrupt spending left by Joe Biden's big government socialism. And we are not helping middle-class folks so they won't have to pay taxes on Joe Biden's inflation....While the President is fighting a war to end the nuclear threats to freedom and civilization from radical Islam, the Republicans in the House and Senate are doing him and the GOP midterm election outlook, no favors.
They are bumbling budget policy, they are bumbling affordability issues, they're bumbling the growth issue, they're concocting weird inside the beltway word salad reasons why they're not getting anything done that will actually help make life easier for hard working taxpayers.
Next, Kudlow pressed Senator James Lankford, Republican from Oklahoma, the Vice Chair of the Republican Conference.
KUDLOW: You, the leadership in both Houses, are bumbling everything sir. I say that with all due respect and we are personal friends. But you are bumbling everything. Nothing is getting done, your messaging is nonexistent, you've lost your swag... no one knows what you are doing sir, they have no idea.
Lankford, bizarrely, then accused the conservative media of ignoring Socialist Democrats in NYC and around the U.S., and beating up on Republicans, and that didn't sit well with Kudlow. "Nobody has attacked Mamdani more than I have."
He then continued pressing on the issue of economics.
KUDLOW: What is it that your policy is? Senator Lankford, my friend, where are the tax cuts, where are the spending cuts....Where's the straight talk and messaging for the midterm? Where's the growth messaging, where's the we're gonna make it better for taxpayers and working folks messaging? Come on, Senator.
Lankford pointed out that there were tax cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed by Congress in July of last year, and also brought up the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which became law earlier this month, Kudlow responded.
KUDLOW: The One Big Beautiful Bill is good, nobody fought for that harder than I did but that was a year ago. What have you done for me lately, this year?
The tense back and forth continued, until Kudlow needed to wrap up the segment, thanking him multiple times, after not backing down, and pleading for more leadership, more economic support for the American people as the President deals wit Iran, and a more effective messaging plan as the midterms get closer.
KUDLOW: I'm saying you don't have a message and you have lost your swagger....You are part of the leadership gang, stand up and be counted. Tell people you're gonna cut spending, you're gonna cut fraud, you're gonna cut corruption, and you're gonna give them a break on capital gains and inflation. Just in general you should have sweeping tax reform. Where's the growth message? That's what I'm looking for.
We could go on forever, I've got to go and do the rest of the TV show, I appreciate you coming on Senator Lankford and we are friends...The President's fighting in Iran and we've got to help him out on that. So help him out on the home front too. Make it easier for him.... I've got to leave it there Senator. Thank you very much, with all respect.
Kudlow was relentless in his attempt to not only solicit answers to his questions form his friend Senator Lankford, but in throwing unsolicited advice his way as well. Having served as a top economic advisor to Trump in his first administration, it's easy to understand Kudlow's frustration, and passion, which made for great television as well.
