Trump names Icahn as special adviser

President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday named Carl Icahn to serve as a special adviser on issues relating to regulatory reform.

In a statement, the president-elect praised Icahn as one of the “word’s greatest businessmen.”

“He is not only a brilliant negotiator, but also someone who is innately able to predict the future especially having to do with finances and economies,” Trump said in a statement.

“His help on the strangling regulations that our country is faced with will be invaluable.”

And Icahn is helping select the next chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Journal added. 

“It’s time to break free of excessive regulation and let our entrepreneurs do what they do best: create jobs and support communities. President-elect Trump is serious about helping American families, and regulatory reform will be a critical component of making America work again.” 

The Democratic National Committee panned the pick Wednesday evening, calling it “quid-pro-quo” and pointing out that Icahn will “be in charge of overseeing regulatory overhauls while simultaneously controlling or owning stock in companies that could benefit from the changes he makes.”

“It looks like Trump isn’t the only billionaire set to profit off of the presidency,” DNC Deputy Communications Director Eric Walker said.

“The corrupt nature of this arrangement cannot be understated. Voters who wanted Trump to drain the swamp just got another face full of mud.”

Updated 5:51 p.m.