Stephen Moore is an American economist, writer, and conservative television commentator who has been a prominent figure in conservative economic circles for several decades. Born on February 16, 1960, Moore has held various positions with conservative organizations and media outlets, solidifying his reputation as an advocate for tax cuts and supply-side economics.
Moore's career includes stints at The Heritage Foundation, where he currently serves as a Senior Visiting Fellow in Economics, and as a former member of the Wall Street Journal editorial board. He also founded the Club for Growth, a group that supports political candidates who favor free-market economic policies. Throughout his career, Moore has been a vocal proponent of tax cuts and limited government spending, arguing that these policies stimulate economic growth. He has also authored several books, including "Trumponomics: Inside the America First Plan to Revive our Economy".
Moore advised Herman Cain's 2012 presidential campaign and Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Along with Larry Kudlow, Moore advised the Trump administration during the writing and passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
In March 2019, President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Moore to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. This nomination, however, was met with widespread skepticism and controversy. Concerns were raised about his qualifications for the role, his history as a political commentator, and past disparaging comments about women.
Critics questioned Moore's economic expertise and his ability to remain independent from political influence. Some economists pointed out that Moore does not hold a Ph.D. in economics and that he has made inaccurate and inconsistent claims about economic policy. Others raised concerns about his past statements on issues such as climate change and child labor laws.
Moore's nomination also faced scrutiny due to his past writings and public comments, which were deemed by many as sexist and demeaning to women. He has been criticized for his remarks on women in athletics, gender equity, and the role of women in the workplace. Several Republican senators expressed their objections to these comments, further jeopardizing his chances of confirmation.
In addition to the controversy surrounding his views and qualifications, Moore also faced scrutiny regarding his personal finances. It was revealed that he owed more than $75,000 in unpaid taxes to the IRS. Moore's wife stated that this was due to an error in claiming alimony and child support payments. He was also held in contempt of court in 2013 for failing to pay over $300,000 in alimony to his ex-wife.
Faced with mounting criticism and dwindling support, Stephen Moore withdrew his name from consideration for the Federal Reserve Board on May 2, 2019. In a statement, Moore cited the "unrelenting attacks" on his character as the reason for his decision. Despite the withdrawal, Moore affirmed his commitment to advocating for pro-growth economic policies.
Even after withdrawing from consideration, Moore remained a voice in conservative economic circles. He has continued his work with organizations such as The Heritage Foundation and FreedomWorks, and has remained a commentator on various media outlets. Recently, Moore has been involved with Project 2025, a right-wing initiative to overhaul the U.S. Treasury Department. His involvement in this project has drawn further scrutiny due to his controversial past and his views on Social Security. He is still actively commenting on the economy as of August 2025.
