New York Fed Tariff Study Criticized by Former NEC Director

Former National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett has strongly criticized a New York Fed tariff study, calling it the 'worst paper I've ever seen' and suggesting its authors should be disciplined for ignoring key aspects of how duties worked.

18 Feb, 14:52 — 18 Feb, 16:35

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Why this matters

This story highlights the political tension between the White House and independent economic institutions like the Federal Reserve over controversial policies such as tariffs. It underscores how economic research can become politicized, with administration officials attempting to discredit findings that challenge their policy narratives. The criticism of Fed researchers for their work raises concerns about academic freedom and the independence of economic analysis.

Key entitiesNew York Fed Kevin Hassett Donald Trump

The Story

What 3 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

A New York Fed study on tariffs was the subject of criticism.
Kevin Hassett, a Trump administration economic adviser, called for the study's authors to be disciplined.
Hassett expressed extreme disapproval of the study, using terms like 'embarrassment' or 'worst paper I've ever seen'.

Key claims2 agreed · 4 unverified

✓

A White House economic adviser said Fed researchers should be ‘disciplined’.

agreed·wapoFTcnbc

✓

The economic adviser who made the statements is Kevin Hassett.

agreed·FTcnbc

The New York Fed study concluded that US consumers and businesses are facing the burden of tariffs.

unverified·FT

Hassett stated the New York Fed report ignored key aspects of how duties worked.

unverified·cnbc

Hassett referred to the report as 'an embarrassment'.

unverified·FT

Hassett called the report the 'Worst paper I've ever seen'.

unverified·cnbc

Where they diverge

Specific reasons for Kevin Hassett's criticism of the tariff study

Hassett criticized the report for showing US consumers and businesses are facing the burden of levies.

cnbc

Hassett criticized the report for ignoring key aspects of how the duties worked.

Coverage gaps

The specific finding of the New York Fed study that US consumers and businesses are facing the burden of levies.

ReportedFT

Missingwapocnbc

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

High (51/100)

3 sources25/33

Spectrum spread— 3/5 buckets covered17/33

Far L1

Far Left (1)

wapo

Left1

Left (1)

cnbc

Center1

Center (1)

Right

Far R

Geographic diversity— 2 regions9/34

US2UK1

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

wapo

cnbc

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

wapocenter-leftcenter-leftneutralMostly Factualreports administration's strong reaction to Fed research

cnbccentercenter-leftneutralMostly Factualemphasizes adviser's harsh condemnation of study

FTcentercenterneutralVery Highreports criticism and study's content neutrally

Coverage leans: center-left

The coverage generally reports the strong criticism from a former Trump adviser, with some outlets including details about the study's findings that contradict the administration's stance, leading to a slight center-left lean.

Sources

Showing 3 of 3 sources

FTVery High49d ago

Trump adviser says NY Fed economists should be ‘disciplined’ for study on tariffs

Kevin Hassett calls report showing US consumers and businesses are facing burden of levies ‘an embarrassment’

Read full article →

wapoMostly Factual49d ago

White House economic adviser says Fed researchers should be ‘disciplined’

One of President Donald Trump’s top economic advisers assailed Fed research into the administration’s tariffs policies, saying the authors deserved to be punished.

By Andrew Ackerman

Read full article →

cnbcMostly Factual49d ago

Hassett says authors of New York Fed tariff study should be disciplined: 'Worst paper I've ever seen'

The NEC director ripped the report, saying that central bank researchers ignored key aspects of how the duties worked

Read full article →

Coverage Timeline

First report: cnbc · 18 Feb, 14:52|Full coverage: 3 · 2h|Window: 2h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

cnbc18 Feb, 14:52First to report

Hassett says authors of New York Fed tariff study should be disciplined: 'Worst paper I've ever seen'

1h later

FT18 Feb, 16:00

Trump adviser says NY Fed economists should be ‘disciplined’ for study on tariffs

wapo18 Feb, 16:35Latest update

White House economic adviser says Fed researchers should be ‘disciplined’

Story evolution

The narrative shifts from simply reporting the adviser's call for discipline to including more specific details about the study's content and the exact nature of the adviser's criticism.

Initial Condemnation ReportedFeb 18 early afternoon

Early reports emerge of a Trump adviser harshly criticizing a New York Fed tariff study and calling for discipline.

Details of Criticism EmergeFeb 18 mid-afternoon

Later reports include specific reasons for the criticism and the study's findings that were targeted.

PERSPECTA

PERSPECTA

New York Fed Tariff Study Criticized by Former NEC Director

Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims2 agreed · 4 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

The Story

Source Diversity

Source Diversity

Political spectrum

Sources

Trump adviser says NY Fed economists should be ‘disciplined’ for study on tariffs

White House economic adviser says Fed researchers should be ‘disciplined’

Hassett says authors of New York Fed tariff study should be disciplined: 'Worst paper I've ever seen'

Coverage Timeline

Hassett says authors of New York Fed tariff study should be disciplined: 'Worst paper I've ever seen'

Trump adviser says NY Fed economists should be ‘disciplined’ for study on tariffs

White House economic adviser says Fed researchers should be ‘disciplined’

Story evolution

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PERSPECTA

Political spectrum

Why this matters

Story evolution

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims2 agreed · 4 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

Coverage matrix