Veronique de Rugy
Role: Author
Position: George Gibbs Chair in Political Economy and Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center, George Mason University
Background:
Veronique de Rugy is a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, where her primary research interests include the U.S. economy, federal budget, taxation, tax competition, and cronyism. She writes a weekly opinion column for the Creators Syndicate, regular columns for Reason magazine, and blogs about economics at National Review Online’s The Corner. De Rugy received her MA in economics from Paris Dauphine University and her PhD in economics from Panthéon-Sorbonne University.
Relation to Trump:
De Rugy has not held an official position in the Trump administration. However, her association with the Mercatus Center, a think tank known for its libertarian and free-market advocacy, aligns her research and policy recommendations with conservative and Trump-aligned economic ideologies.
Scandals or Controversies:
De Rugy’s vocal criticism of government spending and crony capitalism has sparked debate within policy circles. Her opposition to the Export-Import Bank has been particularly contentious, with critics arguing that her stance could undermine U.S. businesses’ competitiveness internationally. However, no major personal scandals or controversies have been associated with her.
Potential Concerns:
In Project 2025, de Rugy’s work likely involves advocating for significant changes in economic policy, particularly focusing on reducing federal spending and opposing crony capitalism. Her strong stance against the Export-Import Bank, which she argues serves as a form of corporate welfare, could be controversial among proponents of government-backed financial support for businesses.