If you’re paying more attention to the markets these days, you’re not alone. Last week, both CNBC and Fox Business Network — including the show hosted by Larry Kudlow, which routinely finishes as the most-watched business news program in cable news — saw ratings gains as announcements of major tariffs from President Donald Trump were unveiled.
Since beginning this series, I’ve shied away from reviewing shows on CNBC and Fox Business Network because I’m just genuinely not all that in tune with the financial markets and the business sector.
But with some of the top stories in the news media world this past week being directly tied to the financial markets, I thought what better time than now to take a look at Kudlow, and find out why the program has continually earned the top spot in the business news realm.
To begin his show on Monday, Larry Kudlow welcomed Art Laffer, a former economist who worked for the Reagan administration and the mind behind the Laffer Curve (maybe I know more than I think?) to the program.
Before asking his first question to Laffer, Kudlow laid out his belief that reciprocal tariffs aren’t something he’s against. However, it appears that the formula used by the Trump administration doesn’t accomplish a reciprocal tariff situation. Instead, in Kudlow’s terms, it is basically a 25% tax on the world’s economy.
Larry Kudlow added that he believes that the trade policy enacted by America in the past has been a negative for the heartland. But he said he thinks Trump is well-intentioned, but “I’m not sure about the ways and means.”
Which is an interesting stance from Kudlow. This is a man who worked for the previous Trump administration as the Director of the Economic Council. So what he says matters, not just for the fact that he’s a well-placed, knowledgeable figure on the subject, but also because he has intricate insight into the President’s thought process.
So, for Larry Kudlow to essentially say “I think this is the incorrect way to attempt to accomplish your goals,” is an insanely interesting development, in my view.
While watching the conversation between the two economic experts, I was struck by Kudlow’s demeanor. It was, frankly, endearing. He’s not a polished television host. He operates the program with a scowl similar to that of someone who just found out their plane had been delayed for the third time.
Larry Kudlow helmed, at least the Monday version, of his show as if he would rather be anywhere else in the world. I wholly recognize that that sounds like an insult, but I actually enjoyed it. Because it showed that he wasn’t really into the dog and pony show that often encompasses a cable news program.
The Kudlow host is focused on two things: content and conversation. He didn’t seem all that preoccupied with things like smiling into the camera — or even looking at the camera, truthfully — or making sure he spoke with a bright, cheery disposition.
He wanted to talk about the things that mattered most to him. And as a viewer, the credibility of someone acting as if they don’t care as much about the presentation but with the content is a refreshing way to consume news television.
Despite Kudlow beginning his conversation with Laffer by being hesitant to criticize the Trump administration, he did heap praise on the President for his stance on attempting to rectify what he viewed as a problem. However, at the end of his conversation, he reiterated his stance that he simply believes this is the wrong way to accomplish what the President wants to achieve.
“I support the thrust of the policy,” Kudlow said in the closing stages of his conversation with Laffer. “I just don’t think, though, that the cold reciprocity — I agree with (Laffer). It isn’t so much reciprocity now. It has become a trade deficit thing. And we’re not going to wipe out trade deficits, even if that were desirable. We’re never gonna wipe them out.”
I enjoyed hearing the unfiltered thoughts from the Fox Business Network host. In today’s hyperpartisan media world, it’s easy to expect someone to just toe the party line at all times, no matter what.
But I didn’t see that from Larry Kudlow. He continually discussed his unfiltered thoughts on the topic, unconcerned about what the repercussions might be should Trump see the segment, disagree, and sic his legion of followers on the Fox Business Network host.
And that, to me, was encouraging to see. I enjoy it when people say what they think and mean what they say. There are few qualities that can propel a personality in 2025 like unbridled authenticity. Larry Kudlow did that on Monday. It’s easy to see why his show would be a popular one in the business news sector.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
Excellent post. Thank you, from a follower of Larry Kudlow for 25 years as he’s been proven right time and time again.