Steve Cortes is an American political strategist, commentator, financial analyst, broadcaster, and author who gained prominence through his role as the Latino spokesperson for Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign. Later, during Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign, Cortes served as Senior Advisor for Strategy, further cementing his position in American political circles.
With over two decades of experience in financial markets and an impressive television career spanning multiple major networks, Cortes has established himself as both a financial expert and influential political commentator. Known for his engaging communication style and ability to make complex topics accessible, he continues to shape discussions in both politics and finance.
Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Steve Cortes |
| Date of Birth | 1st January 1970 |
| Age | 55 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Colombian-American |
| Education | Georgetown University (Rhodes Scholarship nominee) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Holly Cortes |
| Children | 4 (Chase, Kingsley, Elizabeth, and Corten) |
| Residence | Chattanooga, Tennessee |
| Net Worth | Approximately $5 million |
Steve Cortes Biography
Born on 1st January 1970 in Chicago, Illinois, Steve Cortes grew up in the South Side of Chicago in a family with strong Colombian roots. His father immigrated to the United States from the San Jose area of Colombia, bringing with him cultural influences that would shape Cortes’ perspectives.
After completing his secondary education in Chicago, Cortes pursued higher education at Georgetown University in Washington DC. During his university years, he distinguished himself both academically and athletically—playing American football for the university team whilst also being nominated by the university for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. He was additionally named a George F. Baker Scholar, highlighting his academic prowess. Cortes graduated from Georgetown in 1994, setting the foundation for his impressive career.
Steve Cortes Career
Steve Cortes built a robust career in finance spanning 25 years, specialising in trading interest rates, equity ETFs, and currencies for institutional clients. His career journey in finance began immediately after university when he started selling government bonds with Prudent Financial Inc. before transitioning to independent trading in 1999.
In 2002, Cortes founded Veracruz LLC (later known as Veracruz TJM), a trading and research firm providing real-time market research services to institutional clients, including Wall Street Broker/Dealers, hedge funds, and international Sovereign Wealth Funds. This entrepreneurial venture established him as a thought leader in financial markets. He later served as Chief Strategist for BGC Partners, further solidifying his expertise in the financial sector.
Cortes gained recognition as a contrarian investor, a perspective he shared in his book “Against The Herd: 6 Contrarian Investment Strategies You Should Follow,” which offered unique insights into alternative investment approaches.
In 2007, Cortes expanded his professional horizons by entering the world of broadcasting. His television career began at CNBC, where he appeared daily as a commentator on financial markets, primarily as part of the network’s “Fast Money” franchise. He became a regular on CNBC’s “Fast Money Halftime Report,” establishing himself as a knowledgeable financial commentator.
As his expertise expanded beyond finance into politics, Cortes worked with several major news networks, including:
- CNBC (financial commentary)
- CNN (political commentary)
- Fox News (political and financial analysis)
- Bloomberg Television (market analysis)
His broadcasting style, known for blending humour and pop culture references, has made complex economic issues accessible to broader audiences.
Cortes’ political career gained momentum in 2016 when he served as a primary television surrogate for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. During this period, he was appointed to Trump’s Hispanic Advisory Council, where he played a crucial role in outreach to Latino voters.
Following Trump’s election victory, Cortes continued his media presence as a political commentator for CNN before later moving to Fox News. During Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign, his role evolved as he became Senior Advisor for Strategy.
In November 2021, news broke that Cortes had been dismissed from his position at Newsmax. While some reports suggested the dismissal was related to vaccination policies, Newsmax officially denied these claims.
More recently, Cortes has led the League of American Workers, a conservative political advocacy group, and joined Ron DeSantis’ PAC, Never Back Down, as National Spokesman. He has remained active in political strategy and public affairs, particularly focusing on Hispanic voter outreach.
Cortes’ entertainment credentials have expanded with involvement in productions including “American Leviathan” (2025), “Cortes & Pellegrino” (2021), and “Return of Our American Dream” (2024).
Steve Cortes Personal Life
Steve Cortes maintains a relatively private personal life despite his public career. He is married to Holly Cortes, and together they have four children: Chase, Kingsley, Elizabeth, and Corten. After living in Chicago for many years, the family has relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee.
While Cortes is open about his Colombian heritage through his father, he has shared limited information about other family members, including his parents and any siblings.
Steve Cortes Net Worth
As of 2025, Steve Cortes has an estimated net worth of approximately $5 million. His wealth stems from multiple income streams, including:
- Broadcasting contracts with major networks
- Strategic advisory roles in political campaigns
- Financial investments and trading activities
- Revenue from his consultancy firm, Veracruz TJM
- Book royalties and speaking engagements
During his active broadcasting career, his estimated annual salary was approximately £81,661 (approximately $100,000), though this figure likely fluctuated based on his various roles and responsibilities.