Stephen Moore is 'bummed,' Tucker Carlson angrily cites White House 'weakness' on failed Fed nomination
On Thursday morning, Stephen Moore was "all in" and pumped to fight for a seat on the Federal Reserve Board. Minutes later, President Trump tweeted that Moore had "decided to withdraw" from consideration. On Fox News Thursday evening, Moore told an outraged Tucker Carlson he's "bummed out today because I hate quitting," and while he's "not playing the victim here," "the left" had "launched this character assassination" based on "things that were written 25 years ago," a decade-old divorce settlement, and apparently even old Christmas cards, and he had to bow out.
"The White House never should have given in to this," Carlson said. "They shouldn't have, because it abets more weakness, draws more aggression from these nutcases." "I will say this: Do you know who the biggest fighter, the guy who did not want me to withdraw from this?" Moore said. "Donald J. Trump." "Good, I believe that," Carlson said. "I mean, that's what I love about him," Moore said. "He's a fighter, and I just — at the end, I just had to say I don't know if I can get through this."
Moore did take some responsibility for past comments that Republican senators and others viewed as problematically misogynistic and Moore called "humor." Some of his comments have been "impolitic" and "stupid," he told Carlson, but "I wish there was a statute of limitations on stupidity because some of these things were 25 years old." Moore was also under fire for comments he made earlier this week.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
And it wasn't just Moore's old columns and speeches that sank his nomination — he needed 50 votes, and even with 53 Republican senators, he was going to fall short. Many senators were also uncomfortable with his lack of experience and economic views, like his continued belief that U.S. currency should be tied to gold or other hard commodities. Moore was the second Trump Fed pick to withdraw, along with Herman Cain. Peter Weber
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Shardlake: a 'tightly plotted, gorgeously atmospheric piece of television'
The Week Recommends Arthur Hughes captivates in this 'eminently watchable' Tudor murder mystery
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Major League Baseball is facing an epidemic of pitcher's injuries
Under the Radar Many insiders are blaming the pitch clock for the rise in injuries — but the league is not so sure
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
8 movie musicals that prove the screen can share the stage
The Week Recommends The singing and dancing, bigger than life itself
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published