Peter Orszag’s Media Contributions
Peter Orszag, CEO of Lazard, is a recognized voice in issues that affect global business leaders and policymakers at the intersection of business, economic, and policy considerations, frequently contributing to leading media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Foreign Affairs Magazine, and CNBC.
Through interviews, op-eds, and expert commentary, he offers insights on the trends driving global merger and acquisition activity, geopolitical considerations impacting business decisions, as well as fiscal policy and market trends, drawing on his leadership at Lazard and experience across business, finance, public policy, and academia.
This page highlights his contributions to global conversations, featuring links to articles, publications, and broadcast appearances.
New York Times
As CEO of Lazard, Peter Orszag contributes guest essays to the New York Times and appears in opinion interviews. His commentary centers on issues that matter to global business, including fiscal sustainability, healthcare economics, trade, and geopolitics. He brings the perspective of a global CEO informed by earlier service at OMB and CBO.
View his NYT author page here.
I Was Obama’s Budget Director. It’s Time to Worry About the National Debt (May 26, 2025)
Peter Orszag warns that rising deficits, higher interest rates, and mounting federal debt pose new risks to U.S. economic stability. He calls for reforms such as eliminating the debt ceiling, extending Treasury maturities, and boosting long-term growth.
Read here
Trump’s Tariffs, Market Panic and What Comes Next(April 11, 2025)
Peter Orszag joined The Ezra Klein Show, a New York Times podcast, to discuss how tariffs introduced under President Trump reflect a broader shift in global trade and economics. In the conversation, he outlines the long-term implications for businesses, policymakers, and international markets.
Watch here
The Washington Post
Peter Orszag is a regular opinion columnist for The Washington Post, where he writes about fiscal policy, economic trends, and global finance. His columns challenge conventional wisdom and provide pragmatic solutions to pressing economic issues.
View his Washington Post author page here.
How the Trade War Could Expand Beyond Tariffs (February 13, 2025)
Orszag argues that escalating tariffs risk undermining the dollar’s global role and worsening economic tensions with China. He calls for a more balanced approach to trade that preserves U.S. credibility while addressing long-term competitiveness.
Silicon Valley and the Military Need to Bury the Hatchet (February 11, 2025)
In this column, Orszag highlights the critical need for stronger partnerships between the tech sector and the U.S. military. He warns that without greater collaboration, the U.S. risks falling behind in key areas of defense innovation.
Stop Rolling the Dice on the American Economy (January 14, 2025)
Orszag calls for abolishing the federal debt ceiling, describing it as a dangerous and outdated political tool. He argues that repeated brinkmanship over the limit threatens economic stability and U.S. creditworthiness.
Read here
The Real Story of Inflation (November 14, 2024)
Orszag challenges the popular narrative that inflation was primarily driven by the American Rescue Plan, showing how pandemic-induced supply shocks played the dominant role and cautioning against false conclusions.
Read here
Trump’s Latest Personnel Decision Is Good News for Inflation (December 12, 2024)
Orszag welcomes the administration’s move to preserve the Federal Reserve’s independence, noting that political interference in central banking—seen in countries like Turkey—can fuel inflation and destabilize economies.
Read here
Threats to Weaponize the Debt Ceiling Are More Dangerous Than Ever (November 21, 2022)
Orszag warns that using the debt ceiling as a partisan weapon poses serious risks in today’s volatile environment. He urges Congress to reform or repeal the mechanism before it sparks a financial crisis.
Read here
Price Caps on Russian Oil Aren’t Ideal. But They’re Our Best Option. (October 6, 2022)
Orszag and co-author Theodore Bunzel explain that while imperfect, U.S. and EU-imposed price caps on Russian oil are a pragmatic tool to limit Russia’s war revenue without triggering a global energy shock.
Read here
CNBC
Peter Orszag appears on CNBC to discuss markets, fiscal policy, and Lazard’s global strategy. Through interviews and guest segments, he shares insights on economic risks, financial trends, and long-term growth.
View his CNBC speaker page here.
Full Interview with Lazard CEO Peter Orszag (July 24, 2025)
In this extended interview, Peter Orszag discusses Lazard’s strategy, the global economic outlook, and his vision for the firm’s long-term growth. He shares insights on navigating market volatility and the opportunities ahead for financial advisory and asset management.
Watch here
Lazard CEO: Any Fed Rate Cuts in 2025 Will Be Due to Bad News (May 7, 2025)
Speaking with CNBC, Peter Orszag explains why potential Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2025 are likely to signal economic weakness rather than strength. He outlines the challenges facing policymakers and the implications for markets and growth.
Watch here
Peter Orszag on LinkedIn
Peter Orszag is an active voice on LinkedIn, where he shares perspectives on global finance, corporate leadership, and policy trends with a wide professional audience. His authored articles regularly appear in LinkedIn Top News and are widely circulated among business leaders and policymakers.
Evolving Patterns of Firm Performance: Implications for M&A and Liability Management (August 4, 2025) Co-Authored with William Murdock
Peter Orszag and William Murdock examine how widening gaps between top- and bottom-performing firms are reshaping corporate activity. They argue this divergence could drive both increased M&A by high performers and greater restructuring among weaker firms, signaling a shift from historical patterns.
Race for the Future: How the U.S. Can Preserve Dollar Dominance in the Age of Digital Payments (June 10, 2025)
Peter Orszag argues that the U.S. must modernize its payment infrastructure to preserve dollar dominance in an era of digital currencies. He highlights the promise of the Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) or well-regulated stablecoins as key tools to maintain financial leadership amid rising global competition, especially from China.
Megatrends: Investing in the Next Decade (May 22, 2025) Co-Authored with Steve Wreford
Peter Orszag and Steve Wreford outline how demographic, technological, and geopolitical shifts are creating long-term opportunities for investors. He emphasizes the importance of thematic investing–particularly in areas like AI, healthcare innovation, and reshoring–while cautioning that success depends on careful implementation, timing, and discipline.
Lazard News
In addition to his media commentary, Peter Orszag is regularly featured in Lazard’s own news and publications. These highlight his role as CEO, his perspectives on global finance, and contributions to international policy debates.
Lazard CEO and Chairman Peter Orsag Authors Essay in The Atlantic (September 17, 2025)
In The Atlantic, Peter Orszag argues that outdated government statistics are undermining policymaking and calls for blending official surveys with private-sector data in his piece, “The Economy is Turning Into a Black Box.” He highlights how modernizing America’s data systems could deliver faster, more accurate insights for the economy.
Lazard CEO and Chairman Peter Orszag’s Growth Strategy and Middle East Expansion Featured in Bloomberg News (September 11, 2025)
Bloomberg News featured Peter Orszag’s plan to expand Lazard’s global footprint with a new office in Abu Dhabi, strengthening its presence in the Middle East. He emphasized the region’s importance to Lazard’s 2030 growth strategy and its commitment to serving Gulf-based clients.
Peter Orszag Co-Authors Article on Germany’s Debt Brake Reform (January 2024)
Together with Lazard analyst Tobias Edelstein, Orszag co-authored an article in The International Economy examining Germany’s constitutional “debt brake” and its implications for fiscal policy reform.
Read here
Lazard Names Peter Orszag to Succeed Ken Jacobs as CEO (May 26, 2023)
This report covers Lazard’s leadership transition, with Peter Orszag announced as the firm’s next CEO effective October 2023. The piece highlights his success leading Lazard’s financial advisory business and the strategic direction expected under his leadership.
Read here
