Bill Murray caught Donald Trump‘s economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, off guard during an unusual exchange on CNBC’s Squawk Box.
The actor interrupted the conversation with a request that challenged Hassett to deliver upsetting news without smiling. The moment prompted a playful back-and-forth between the two.
Bill Murray challenges Kevin Hassett to stop smiling during bizarre CNBC exchange
Murray approached Hassett after a CNBC host introduced him during Monday’s broadcast on November 2.
“I would regret it if I didn’t take this opportunity,” Murray said before making his unexpected request.
“Could you just say the words, ‘My dog just died?’ I want to see what happens to your smile.”
Hassett initially questioned the scenario, asking, “Oh, well, is it your dog or my dog?”
According to Variety, Murray clarified that he wanted Hassett to imagine losing his own dog.
The Trump economic adviser then complied with the request and delivered the line without smiling.
His successful attempt prompted an enthusiastic reaction from the CNBC host, who exclaimed, “You did it!”
Murray continued the joke by suggesting that Hassett had narrowly avoided a more unusual examination.
“We were gonna have someone go take your blood. We’re gonna call them off. Not gonna happen,” the actor said.
The exchange between Bill Murray and Kevin Hassett followed the adviser’s recent comments about the American economy.
During an earlier Fox Business interview with Larry Kudlow, Hassett dismissed concerns about the country’s affordability crisis.
He described the issue as a “myth” and claimed that household consumption had increased by approximately $5,000 after accounting for inflation. Hassett also pointed to income growth, investment and employment as evidence supporting his assessment.
Meanwhile, Murray had visited CNBC’s studios for a separate appearance earlier that Monday.
The actor joined author Tom Coyne on “Squawk Box” to discuss “A Course Called Ireland,” a six-part golf and travel documentary series on Paramount+.
The series features Murray and draws inspiration from Coyne’s 2009 book of the same name.
Murray’s later encounter with Hassett shifted the conversation away from the economy and toward an impromptu test of the adviser’s ability to maintain a straight face.
