President Trump, the Television President, Expands His Cast

The television pundit Larry Kudlow, best known for his patter on CNBC, was named as President Donald Trump’s chief economic adviser. Pete Hegseth, a co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend,” is on the short list to become secretary of veterans affairs. John R. Bolton, the former United Nations ambassador and a frequent Fox News commentator, is under consideration for national security adviser. The moves are another sign that the dividing line between media and government has been all but erased under President Trump, a former reality star who views himself as the casting agent in chief. Television figures have served as press aides in past administrations, tasked with handling their former colleagues in the media. But the selection of Kudlow crossed a threshold of sorts: the elevation of a television star to a position of real influence over policies affecting millions of Americans.

People close to him have said a major part of his deliberative process is how a decision will play on cable news. Where previous presidents courted news personalities, President Trump consults them, seeking policy and strategic advice from Fox News hosts like Jeanine Pirro, who at one point was interviewed for the job of deputy attorney general, and Sean Hannity. At least three Fox News hosts — Tucker Carlson, Kimberly Guilfoyle and Laura Ingraham — were approached about joining his communications team.