Gary Cohn

Gary Cohn is a renowned American economist and former Director of the National Economic Council, serving under President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2018. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Cohn graduated from American University and later earned an MBA from University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He began his career in finance at US Steel and later worked at Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs, where he became a key figure in the company's Fixed Income, Currencies, and Commodities (FICC) division. Cohn's experience in the financial sector, including his work with Lloyd Blankfein and Henry Paulson, prepared him for his future roles in Washington, D.C. and the White House.

● Early Life and Education

Gary Cohn was born on August 27, 1960, in Cleveland, Ohio, to a Jewish family. He grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and attended Shaker Heights High School. Cohn then enrolled at American University, where he studied Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and graduated in 1982. After completing his undergraduate degree, he went on to earn an MBA from University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1985, with a focus on finance and economics. During his time at University of Chicago, Cohn was influenced by prominent economists such as Milton Friedman and Gary Becker, who were associated with the Chicago school of economics. Cohn's educational background and early interests in finance and economics laid the foundation for his future career in the financial sector, including his work with Federal Reserve System and Securities and Exchange Commission.

● Career

Cohn began his career in finance at US Steel in 1982, but soon moved to Merrill Lynch in 1983, where he worked in the company's commodities division. In 1990, he joined Goldman Sachs as a vice president in the company's Fixed Income, Currencies, and Commodities (FICC) division. Cohn quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a partner at Goldman Sachs in 1994 and later serving as the company's President and Chief Operating Officer from 2006 to 2016. During his tenure at Goldman Sachs, Cohn worked closely with prominent figures such as Lloyd Blankfein, Henry Paulson, and Robert Rubin, and was involved in various high-profile deals, including the bailout of Long-Term Capital Management and the Greek debt crisis. Cohn's experience in the financial sector, including his work with International Monetary Fund and World Bank, prepared him for his future role in the White House.

● Economic Policy

As the Director of the National Economic Council, Cohn played a key role in shaping the economic policy of the Trump administration, working closely with President Donald Trump, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, and Chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell. Cohn was a strong advocate for tax reform, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was signed into law in 2017. He also supported deregulation efforts, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and was involved in negotiations with China and other countries on trade policy, including the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Cohn's economic policy views were influenced by his experience in the financial sector, as well as his interactions with prominent economists such as Alan Greenspan and Ben Bernanke, who served as Chairman of the Federal Reserve.

● Controversies

Cohn's tenure in the White House was not without controversy, as he faced criticism for his role in shaping the Trump administration's economic policy, including the travel ban and the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Cohn was also involved in a public feud with President Donald Trump over the Charlottesville unrest, which led to speculation about his future in the administration. Additionally, Cohn faced criticism for his close ties to Wall Street and his perceived influence on the administration's economic policy, including his work with JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup. Cohn's controversies were also linked to his interactions with other prominent figures, including Steve Bannon, Reince Priebus, and John Kelly, who served as White House Chief of Staff.

● Post-White House Career

After leaving the White House in 2018, Cohn returned to the private sector, joining the investment firm SpringHill Company, founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter. Cohn has also been involved in various other ventures, including Palo Alto Networks and Block, Inc., and has served as an advisor to IBM and AT&T. Cohn has continued to be involved in public policy debates, including discussions on trade policy and economic growth, and has interacted with prominent figures such as President Joe Biden, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, and Chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell. Cohn's post-White House career has also included work with Harvard University and Stanford University, where he has taught courses on economics and finance.