If you’ve spent any time tracking the machinery of American economic policy lately, you’ve hit the name Stephen Moore. Usually, he’s mentioned in the same breath as Donald Trump and the Heritage Foundation. It’s a trio that makes some people cheer for a "Golden Age" and others reach for the nearest bottle of antacid. But honestly, the way people talk about this connection is often a bit… off.
Some see Moore as just a talking head. Others think he’s the secret architect of everything happening in the 2026 economy. The truth is somewhere in the middle. He’s the guy who has spent decades trying to turn "supply-side" theories into actual laws, and right now, he’s seeing his biggest projects come to life.
The Heritage Foundation’s "Project 2025" and Moore’s Fingerprints
Let’s get the big one out of the way. You can’t talk about Stephen Moore, Trump, and the Heritage Foundation without talking about Project 2025. Even though we’re now moving into the thick of 2026, the blueprint laid out by Heritage remains the "North Star" for the administration’s fiscal moves.
Moore didn't just sign his name to the project; he co-authored the chapter on the Department of the Treasury. That’s the engine room of the economy. His vision? Basically, a total "repair job" of the federal government’s relationship with your wallet.
The goal was radical from the jump:
- Shrink the regulatory power of the Treasury.
- Dismantle what Moore calls "racist equity agendas" in federal hiring.
- Make the 2017 tax cuts permanent—or even deeper.
Moore has been a Senior Fellow (and "Visiting Fellow") at Heritage for years. This isn't just a job for him; it’s a platform. Heritage provides the data and the "Mandate for Leadership" reports that Moore then takes to the airwaves on Fox Business to sell to the public.
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Why Trump Always Keeps Him Close
You’ve probably noticed that Trump likes loyalty. Moore has it in spades. Remember 2019? Trump tried to put Moore on the Federal Reserve Board. It was a disaster. Critics pointed to his lack of a PhD in economics. The media dug up old columns he wrote about women’s sports and alimony disputes.
He had to withdraw.
Most people would have slunk away into a quiet consulting gig. Not Steve. He went right back to the Heritage Foundation and the Committee to Unleash Prosperity. He told Trump he was "at his disposal," and he meant it.
The bond between them is built on a shared obsession: growth. Moore doesn't care about the traditional "inflation-first" mindset of the Federal Reserve. He wants 4%, 5%, even 6% GDP growth. He’s the guy telling the President that if you just cut taxes enough and drill enough oil, the economy will outrun its problems. It’s a high-stakes gamble that defines the current 2026 economic landscape.
The 2026 "Golden Age": Reality or Hype?
We are currently seeing the "Golden Age" Moore promised on Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street earlier this month. He’s been touting the "repair job" after the Biden years, specifically focusing on two things: falling tariffs (through negotiation) and IRS tax bracket changes.
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But there’s a nuance here that gets lost. Moore is often labeled a "protectionist" because he supports Trump, but he’s actually a free-trader at heart. He has admitted, "I'm not a big fan of tariffs," but he views them as a "negotiating tool." He thinks Trump uses them to force other countries to lower their barriers.
Critics, like Nobel winner Paul Krugman, think this is delusional. They argue that Moore’s ideas ignore the complexity of modern global supply chains. But inside the Heritage Foundation, the mood is triumphant. They see the 2026 rebound in retirement savings as proof that their "growth at any cost" model works.
The Moore Philosophy in a Nutshell
- Taxes: Lower them. Then lower them again. Especially for corporations and investors.
- Energy: "Drill, baby, drill" isn't just a slogan; it’s a fiscal strategy to lower production costs.
- The Fed: Moore wants the Federal Reserve to focus on commodity prices (like gold or oil) rather than just managing interest rates based on unemployment.
What This Actually Means for Your Money
If you’re trying to figure out how the Stephen Moore, Trump, and the Heritage Foundation alliance affects your actual life, look at your paycheck. Moore has been very vocal about reducing the amount of money withheld by the IRS.
He’s currently pushing for a $4.5 trillion tax cut plan. Part of this involves "SALT" (State and Local Tax) deductions. Moore is suggesting that the cap on these deductions—which was a huge pain point for people in high-tax states—could be doubled or even tripled.
It’s a weird shift. Moore used to be a "flat tax" purist. Now, he’s more pragmatic. He’s willing to use the tax code to reward the administration’s allies and pressure its critics.
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The Risks Nobody Mentions
Everything isn't sunshine and rainbows. Even some conservative economists at places like Cato (where Moore used to work) worry about the debt. Moore argues that "growth is the best way to bring down our debt."
But what if the growth doesn't hit that magical 4%?
If the tax cuts go through and the economy only grows at 2%, the deficit explodes. Moore’s response is usually to point at the 1980s or the post-2017 boom. He believes capital flows to wherever it’s treated best. "Whatever country gets the most capital wins," he likes to say.
How to Track What’s Coming Next
Watching Moore is the best way to predict the administration’s next move. He’s often the "trial balloon" guy. If he’s on Fox Business talking about a new way to privatize Social Security or a plan to "defund" a specific federal agency, there’s a 90% chance it’s sitting on a desk in the West Wing.
Actionable Insights for 2026:
- Watch the Treasury: Keep an eye on any "structural reforms" at the Treasury Department. If Moore’s Project 2025 ideas are implemented, we could see a massive reduction in financial oversight (like the repeal of the Financial Stability Oversight Council).
- Adjust Your Tax Strategy: If the SALT cap is indeed doubled as Moore suggests, it changes the math for homeowners in states like New York, California, and New Jersey.
- Energy Stocks: Moore is the primary cheerleader for "Fueling Freedom." As long as his influence holds at the Heritage Foundation, expect the administration to keep pushing for maximum deregulation in the oil and gas sectors.
Moore isn't going anywhere. Whether he’s a "Distinguished Fellow" or an "Unofficial Advisor," he is the bridge between the high-brow theory of the Heritage Foundation and the populist energy of the Trump movement. To understand one, you have to understand all three.
Check the latest IRS bracket adjustments for 2026 to see if the Moore-backed "less withholding" strategy is hitting your specific income level.