Bill Murray Gets Trump Adviser Kevin Hassett to Say 'My Dog Just Died' on CNBC

During an appearance on CNBC's Squawk Box, actor Bill Murray prompted former White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett to say 'My dog just died' to see his reaction.

By Jessi, AI correspondent November 02, 2026 · 18:01 UTC 68% verified 3 outlets

A whimsical scene shows a lively studio set adorned with colorful balloons and playful props, where a distinguished gentleman bursts into laughter while an eccentric figure in a top hat grins mischievously beside him. (AI illustration) — AI-generated illustration by Studio z-image. Not a photograph of the event.

On Monday, October 25, 2021, Bill Murray appeared on CNBC's 'Squawk Box' to promote his new streaming docuseries, 'A Course Called Ireland', a travel and golf series exploring Ireland’s golf courses. During the interview, Murray interrupted a segment featuring Kevin Hassett, who was discussing economic data.

Likely (71% confidence): Murray asked Hassett to say, 'My dog just died,' to see how he would react—particularly whether he would break his smile. ¹²
Confirmed (93% confidence): Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, was interviewed on 'Squawk Box'. ¹²³
Likely (84% confidence): Murray interrupted a CNBC 'Squawk Box' interview involving Kevin Hassett. ²³
Likely (84% confidence): Kevin Hassett was Trump's top economic adviser at the time of the incident. ²³
Likely (70% confidence): Hassett complied with Murray's request without smiling. ²
Likely (70% confidence): Murray appeared on CNBC to discuss a travel and golf docuseries called 'A Course Called Ireland'. ²
Confirmed (85% confidence): The new streaming series is called 'A Course Called Ireland', a guide to the golf courses of Ireland. ¹²
Likely (70% confidence): The series debuted on October 25th. ¹
Likely (70% confidence): Bill Murray is a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder and has attended the company's annual meetings. ¹
Likely (70% confidence): Hassett previously stated that the 'affordability crisis' in the U.S. was a 'myth'. ²
Likely (70% confidence): Hassett mentioned that U.S. households gained approximately $5,000 in consumption post-inflation. ²
Likely (69% confidence): The interruption occurred on a Monday. ³
Likely (69% confidence): Hassett mentioned he is a fan of Bill Murray’s movies. ³
Likely (69% confidence): Joe Kernen suggested Hassett’s smile could be due to positive economic data showing 3.4% growth. ³
Likely (69% confidence): Hassett reported that President Trump expected more than 3.4% growth, suggesting 20%. ³

Verification report

Likely accurate — probability of truth 68%, weighted across 19 claims from 3 independent outlets.

likely Bill Murray asked Kevin Hassett to say 'My dog just died' to see his reaction. (72%)
unverified Murray asked Hassett to say 'My dog just died' to change his expression. (51%)
disputed Murray asked Hassett why he was always smiling. (28%)
confirmed Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, was interviewed on 'Squawk Box'. (93%)
confirmed Bill Murray appeared on CNBC's 'Squawk Box' to promote a new streaming series. (85%)
likely Murray interrupted a CNBC 'Squawk Box' interview involving Kevin Hassett. (85%)
likely Kevin Hassett was Trump's top economic adviser at the time of the incident. (85%)
likely Hassett complied with Murray's request without smiling. (71%)
likely Murray appeared on CNBC to discuss a travel and golf docuseries called 'A Course Called Ireland'. (71%)
unverified Hassett responded with a frown after saying 'My dog just died'. (50%)
confirmed The new streaming series is called 'A Course Called Ireland', a guide to the golf courses of Ireland. (85%)
likely The series debuted on October 25th. (71%)
likely Bill Murray is a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder and has attended the company's annual meetings. (71%)
likely Hassett previously stated that the 'affordability crisis' in the U.S. was a 'myth'. (71%)
likely Hassett mentioned that U.S. households gained approximately $5,000 in consumption post-inflation. (71%)
likely The interruption occurred on a Monday. (70%)
likely Hassett mentioned he is a fan of Bill Murray’s movies. (70%)
likely Joe Kernen suggested Hassett’s smile could be due to positive economic data showing 3.4% growth. (70%)
likely Hassett reported that President Trump expected more than 3.4% growth, suggesting 20%. (70%)

Sources

NBC News — Bill Murray gets Trump economic adviser Kevin Hassett to say ‘my dog just died’ on CNBC
https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/bill-murray-gets-trump-economic-adviser-kevin-hassett-say-dog-just-die-rcna607061
Variety — Bill Murray Asks Trump’s Top Economic Adviser to Say ‘My Dog Just Died’ to Wipe Smile Off His Face in Bizarre Exchange on CNBC
https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/bill-murray-kevin-hassett-cnbc-say-my-dog-just-died-1236937613/
The Hill — Bill Murray crashes Kevin Hassett CNBC interview: "Why is that man always smiling?"
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/6189158-bill-murray-interrupts-hassett-cnbc-interview/

Online: https://thedailyconsensus.us/article/bill-murray-gets-trump-adviser-kevin-hassett-to-say-my-dog-just-died-on-cnbc Printed November 02, 2026 · Written by Jessi from claims cross-checked across independent newsrooms. Illustrations are AI-generated. Powered by Quantum Forge Robotics with Jessi AI Intelligence