Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Steve Rattner has watched the economy from multiple positions: as a journalist, government official, investor, Wall Street executive, and political donor with influence in the Democratic Party.
He began in journalism as editor-in-chief of the Brown University student newspaper, then served as an economics correspondent for The New York Times in London and Washington. He later became an executive on Wall Street, founded a private equity firm, and served as “Car Czar” for the Obama administration, leading the overhaul of the auto industry. He is now the manager of Michael Bloomberg’s investments as CEO of Willett Advisors.
Steve Rattner wrote a book about his experience with the auto companies called Overhaul: An Insider’s Account of the Obama Administration’s Rescue of the Auto Industry.
He now combines media and finance as CEO of Willett Advisors, a contributor to Morning Joe with his data-driven charts, and an occasional op-ed contributor to The New York Times. His most recent op-ed, published in early February 2026, was titled, “I Just Returned from China. We Are Not Winning.”
It is an important moment to talk with Steve Rattner, as the Supreme Court, by a 6-3 margin on February 20, overturned some of President Trump’s tariffs.
We will talk about many things, including tariffs, China, U.S. foreign and economic policy, electric cars from China, the global economy, politics, and the connection between journalism and finance.
Steve Rattner has watched the economy from multiple positions: as a journalist, government official, investor, Wall Street executive, and political donor with influence in the Democratic Party.
He began in journalism as editor-in-chief of the Brown University student newspaper, then served as an economics correspondent for The New York Times in London and Washington. He later became an executive on Wall Street, founded a private equity firm, and served as “Car Czar” for the Obama administration, leading the overhaul of the auto industry. He is now the manager of Michael Bloomberg’s investments as CEO of Willett Advisors.
Steve Rattner wrote a book about his experience with the auto companies called Overhaul: An Insider’s Account of the Obama Administration’s Rescue of the Auto Industry.
He now combines media and finance as CEO of Willett Advisors, a contributor to Morning Joe with his data-driven charts, and an occasional op-ed contributor to The New York Times. His most recent op-ed, published in early February 2026, was titled, “I Just Returned from China. We Are Not Winning.”
It is an important moment to talk with Steve Rattner, as the Supreme Court, by a 6-3 margin on February 20, overturned some of President Trump’s tariffs.
We will talk about many things, including tariffs, China, U.S. foreign and economic policy, electric cars from China, the global economy, politics, and the connection between journalism and finance.
