Trump praises WH economist Kevin Hassett for doing great job for administration

The White House's top economist is leaving soon, Trump announced on Monday. In a tweet Sunday night, Trump says the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, Kevin Hassett, will be departing "shortly" and praises him as having "done such a great job for me and the Administration." Trump says he will name what he calls a "very talented replacement" as soon as he returns to the US from his trip to Europe.

The president adds: "I want to thank Kevin for all he has done - he is a true friend!" Hassett began serving in the Senate-confirmed post in September 2017. Before that, Hassett was an economist at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute. He had also served as an adviser to the presidential campaigns of three GOP candidates — George W Bush, Mitt Romney and the late John McCain.

(With inputs from agencies.)