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Kevin Hassett, the veteran economist and current Director of the White House National Economic Council, has emerged as one of President Donald Trump’s most visible economic voices in 2026, frequently defending administration policies amid escalating global tensions and domestic debates over tariffs, spending and growth forecasts.

Hassett, 64, appeared on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on March 15, 2026, where he addressed the ongoing U.S. military conflict with Iran, now in its third week. He told host Margaret Brennan that the Pentagon estimates the operation would last four to six weeks, with forces “ahead of schedule” as of mid-March. On funding, Hassett said the war had cost approximately $12 billion so far—slightly higher than an earlier figure of $11.3 billion—and emphasized that existing resources suffice for now.

“Right now, we’ve got what we need,” Hassett stated, noting that any supplemental funding request would depend on assessments by Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought. He described rising oil prices triggered by the conflict as a “temporary shock,” predicting a swift resolution and a subsequent “big positive shock” to the global economy once hostilities end.

The comments drew immediate attention amid concerns over inflationary pressures from energy costs and the broader fiscal implications of military engagement. Hassett’s appearance followed a Fox News segment where he similarly downplayed long-term economic risks from the conflict, reinforcing the administration’s message of resilience.

Born March 20, 1962, Hassett has built a career blending academic rigor with high-level policy roles. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College and master’s and doctoral degrees in economics from the University of Pennsylvania. Early in his career, he served as a senior economist at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in the 1990s and as an associate professor of economics and finance at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business.

Hassett gained wider recognition as a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he focused on tax policy, fiscal issues and economic modeling. He co-authored the 1999 book “Dow 36,000,” which controversially predicted a dramatic rise in stock market values based on lower risk premiums—a forecast that drew criticism when markets later corrected sharply.

Politically, Hassett advised Republican presidential campaigns, including those of George W. Bush in 2004, John McCain in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012. He joined the Hoover Institution at Stanford University as a distinguished fellow in 2019, following his first stint in the Trump administration.

During Trump’s first term, Hassett chaired the Council of Economic Advisers from 2017 to 2019, playing a key role in advocating for the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He argued the corporate rate reduction would boost investment, wages and growth—claims that remain debated among economists. He briefly returned to the White House in 2020 as a senior advisor coordinating the economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After leaving government, Hassett held positions including vice president at The Lindsey Group, economic contributor at CNN, and senior advisor to Capital Matters at National Review. He also served as Global Director of Research for Affinity Partners, a Miami-based private equity firm.

President Trump tapped Hassett again in November 2024 to lead the National Economic Council in his second administration, a role he assumed on January 20, 2025. As NEC Director, Hassett coordinates domestic and international economic policy, serving as a close advisor to the president on trade, tariffs, monetary issues and fiscal strategy. He speaks with Trump daily, positioning him as a central figure in shaping the administration’s economic agenda.

In recent months, Hassett has been a vocal proponent of Trump’s tariff policies, dismissing Federal Reserve research suggesting consumers bear much of the cost. In a February 2026 briefing, he criticized New York Fed economists and called for “discipline” over their findings, sparking concerns about potential pressure on independent institutions.

Speculation peaked late in 2025 that Hassett might succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair when Powell’s term ends in May 2026. Prediction markets and reports frequently listed him as the frontrunner, given his alignment with Trump’s preference for lower interest rates and faster cuts. Hassett himself said he would cut rates aggressively if leading the Fed, citing data supporting easing.

However, in January 2026, Trump publicly expressed a desire to keep Hassett in his current White House role. “I actually want to keep you where you are,” Trump told him at a White House event, praising his performance. Trump ultimately nominated former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh for the Fed chair position, a choice Hassett endorsed as “a great choice” in subsequent interviews.

Hassett has remained optimistic about the U.S. economy’s trajectory. In a mid-March 2026 interview with Australian superfunds, he predicted growth exceeding 4% in 2026, driven by artificial intelligence productivity gains, lower corporate taxes for domestic manufacturers and industrial policy initiatives. He highlighted recent strong jobs reports, record labor force participation and declining federal employment shares as evidence of policy success.

Critics argue Hassett’s close alignment with Trump raises questions about institutional independence, particularly regarding the Fed and economic forecasting. Supporters praise his data-driven approach and loyalty to pro-growth policies.

As the Iran conflict continues and economic pressures mount from energy prices and global uncertainty, Hassett’s role positions him to shape responses on funding, inflation mitigation and recovery planning. His frequent media appearances underscore his status as a key defender of the administration’s economic narrative.

With the 2026 midterm elections approaching and debates over tariffs, spending and monetary policy intensifying, Hassett’s influence shows no signs of waning. Whether advocating for post-war economic rebounds or pushing domestic priorities, the economist remains a pivotal figure in Trump’s second-term White House.

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At Touchstone Investments, we recognize that not all mutual fund companies are created equal. Our commitment to being Distinctively Active means the employment of a fully integrated and rigorous process for identifying and partnering with asset managers who sub-advise our mutual funds and advocating a robust approach to portfolio construction that either uses standalone active strategies or serves as a complement to passive strategies. That is the power of Distinctively Active.

Touchstone Funds are offered nationally through intermediaries including broker-dealers, financial planners, registered investment advisors and institutions by Touchstone Securities, Inc. For more information please call 800.638.8194 or visit www.touchstoneinvestments.com

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Touchstone Securities Inc. is a registered broker-dealer and member FINRA and SIPC Note: This account is not managed or monitored by Touchstone Investments, and any messages sent via Seeking Alpha will not receive a response. For inquiries or communication, please use Touchstone Investments’s official channels.

Calamos Investments is a diversified global investment firm offering innovative investment strategies including U.S. growth equity, global equity, convertible, multi-asset and alternatives. The firm offers strategies through separately managed portfolios, mutual funds, closed-end funds, private funds, an exchange traded fund and UCITS funds. Clients include major corporations, pension funds, endowments, foundations and individuals, as well as the financial advisors and consultants who serve them. Headquartered in the Chicago metropolitan area, the firm also has offices in London, New York and San Francisco.  For more information, please visit www.calamos.com.

Barcelona, Spain — Barcelona winger Raphinha delivered a standout performance Sunday, March 15, 2026, by converting two penalties in the opening 21 minutes of a La Liga match against Sevilla at Camp Nou, including a cheeky Panenka chip that marked a rare feat not witnessed in the competition for over a decade.

The Brazilian international opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a composed Panenka after João Cancelo won the spot-kick via a driving run halted illegally by Djibril Sow. Raphinha approached the ball slowly, stutter-stepped to freeze goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, then delicately chipped it down the middle as the keeper dove left. The audacious technique sent the home crowd into raptures and put Barcelona ahead 1-0.

Just 12 minutes later, a handball in the box—confirmed by VAR—awarded another penalty. Raphinha stepped up again, this time opting for power over flair, sending a low drive into the bottom left corner. Vlachodimos guessed correctly but could not reach it, making the score 2-0. The quick-fire double extended Raphinha’s flawless record from the spot and helped Barcelona assert early dominance in their push for the La Liga title.

The Panenka stood out as particularly noteworthy. Such chipped penalties, popularized by Antonín Panenka in the 1976 European Championship final, remain uncommon in high-stakes La Liga matches due to the risk involved. Analysts noted it was the first successful Panenka by a Barcelona player in league play since Lionel Messi’s attempt against Atlético Madrid in 2016, a span of nearly 10 years. Raphinha’s execution drew immediate comparisons to the greats, with social media clips circulating widely.

Raphinha’s composure from 12 yards has become a hallmark. He has converted every penalty taken since 2019 across clubs Stade Rennais, Leeds United, Brazil’s national team, and Barcelona—no misses in that stretch. At Barcelona alone, he boasts a perfect record, with sources indicating four successful attempts in La Liga prior to Sunday’s brace, pushing his club tally higher. Transfermarkt data lists his career penalty conversions at 16 prior to the match, underscoring reliability.

The feat arrives amid a strong individual season for the 29-year-old. Raphinha has tallied 15 goals across competitions by mid-March, including nine in La Liga, contributing to Barcelona’s attacking resurgence under Hansi Flick. His versatility—combining pace, dribbling, and finishing—has made him a key outlet, especially with injuries affecting other forwards.

Sunday’s performance also highlighted Barcelona’s penalty prowess. The club set a La Liga record for most penalties awarded this season (11) with the two against Sevilla, reflecting aggressive play and referee decisions favoring them in the box. Fans and pundits debated the calls, but the outcomes silenced doubters as Barcelona controlled proceedings.

Sevilla struggled to respond early, with Vlachodimos unable to stop either kick despite correct guesses on the second. The visitors mounted a fightback but could not overcome the deficit, allowing Barcelona to secure vital points in the title race.

Post-match, Raphinha downplayed the spotlight, crediting teammates for winning the penalties. “João’s runs create chances, and I just focus on the job,” he told reporters. “The Panenka? It’s about confidence and reading the keeper. Happy it worked today.”

The brace reinforces Raphinha’s status as Barcelona’s primary penalty taker, edging out competition from younger talents like Lamine Yamal. His ice-cold mentality under pressure has drawn praise from Flick, who called him “a leader in big moments.”

Social media buzzed with highlights. Clips of the Panenka garnered millions of views, with captions hailing “nerves of steel” and “vintage class.” One viral post read: “Raphinha’s Panenka not seen in La Liga for a decade—pure audacity!”

Barcelona’s victory keeps them firmly in contention at the top of the table, with Raphinha’s contribution proving decisive. As the season enters its final stretch, his reliability from the spot could prove crucial in tight matches.

The unique double—two penalties in quick succession, one a rare Panenka—adds to Raphinha’s growing legacy at Camp Nou. With his perfect record intact and flair on display, the Brazilian continues elevating his game in Blaugrana colors.