New York (CNN Business) A top economic adviser to President Donald Trump told CNN on Wednesday that the US economy may show no growth in the first quarter if the federal government shutdown lasts much longer.

White House Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Kevin Hassett said in an interview with CNN's Poppy Harlow that he was not overly worried about the long-term effects of a government shutdown. But after Harlow asked him if the United States could wind up with zero GDP growth this quarter, he conceded that it was possible. "We could, yes," he said.

But Hassett noted that the economy is typically weak in the first quarter because it follows a boom during the holidays. He argued that the economy would bounce back once the government reopens and any hit to GDP would eventually be recovered.

The second quarter could be "humongous" if the government shutdown ends before then, Hassett said.

Earlier this month, Hassett told PBS that furloughed government workers are "better off" because they didn't need to take vacation days . But he said those comments were taken out of context.

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