Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 2,046	$ 2,591	$ (2,220)
Income from discontinued operations	(1,764)	(234)	(65)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net loss (gain) from securities transactions	476	(2,273)	(266)
Purchases of securities	(4,810)	(781)	(2,059)
Proceeds from sales of securities	6,763	2,413	7,630
Purchases to cover securities sold, not yet purchased	(1,083)	(1,078)	(361)
Proceeds from securities sold, not yet purchased	1,077	1,222	616
Changes in receivables and payables relating to securities transactions	(1,195)	(1,704)	(4,828)
Gain on disposition of assets, net	(84)	(2,163)	(6)
Depreciation and amortization	447	474	526
Impairment	92	87	586
Deferred taxes	(19)	(557)	(134)
Other, net	123	(27)	58
Accounts receivable, net	45	(72)	(58)
Inventories, net	(86)	(185)	(86)
Other assets	(208)	20	315
Accounts payable	(61)	132	28
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts	(1,239)	136	1,106
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(84)	(123)	(403)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations	436	(2,122)	379
Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations	479	694	839
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	915	(1,428)	1,218
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(272)	(316)	(247)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(15)	(249)	(1,009)
Purchase of additional interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(5)	(349)	(2)
Proceeds from disposition of businesses and assets	3,370	1,983	31
Other, net	(51)	(76)	(25)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations	3,027	993	(1,252)
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations	(437)	(580)	(593)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	2,590	413	(1,845)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Investment segment contributions from non-controlling interests	310	600	505
Investment segment distributions from non-controlling interests	0	0	(7)
Partnership contributions	0	612	1
Partnership distributions	(97)	(81)	(103)
Proceeds from subsidiary equity offerings	6	0	0
Dividends and distributions to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries	(139)	(75)	(73)
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes	0	2,470	0
Repayments of senior unsecured notes	0	(2,450)	0
Proceeds from other borrowings	1,268	1,334	1,908
Repayments of borrowings	(1,346)	(1,430)	(1,923)
Other, net	9	(1)	(18)
Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations	11	979	290
Net cash used in financing activities from discontinued operations	(163)	(261)	(232)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(152)	718	58
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(7)	3	0
Add back change in cash and restricted cash of assets held for sale	81	321	(165)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	3,427	27	(734)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	1,911	1,884	2,618
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	5,338	1,911	1,884
Icahn Enterprises Holdings
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	2,047	2,593	(2,219)
Income from discontinued operations	(1,764)	(234)	(65)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net loss (gain) from securities transactions	476	(2,273)	(266)
Purchases of securities	(4,810)	(781)	(2,059)
Proceeds from sales of securities	6,763	2,413	7,630
Purchases to cover securities sold, not yet purchased	(1,083)	(1,078)	(361)
Proceeds from securities sold, not yet purchased	1,077	1,222	616
Changes in receivables and payables relating to securities transactions	(1,195)	(1,704)	(4,828)
Gain on disposition of assets, net	(84)	(2,163)	(6)
Depreciation and amortization	447	474	526
Impairment	92	87	586
Deferred taxes	(19)	(557)	(134)
Other, net	122	(29)	57
Accounts receivable, net	45	(72)	(58)
Inventories, net	(86)	(185)	(86)
Other assets	(208)	20	315
Accounts payable	(61)	132	28
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts	(1,239)	136	1,106
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(84)	(123)	(403)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations	436	(2,122)	379
Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations	479	694	839
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	915	(1,428)	1,218
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(272)	(316)	(247)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(15)	(249)	(1,009)
Purchase of additional interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(5)	(349)	(2)
Proceeds from disposition of businesses and assets	3,370	1,983	31
Other, net	(51)	(76)	(25)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations	3,027	993	(1,252)
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations	(437)	(580)	(593)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	2,590	413	(1,845)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Investment segment contributions from non-controlling interests	310	600	505
Investment segment distributions from non-controlling interests	0	0	(7)
Partnership contributions	0	612	1
Partnership distributions	(97)	(81)	(103)
Proceeds from subsidiary equity offerings	6	0	0
Dividends and distributions to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries	(139)	(75)	(73)
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes	0	2,470	0
Repayments of senior unsecured notes	0	(2,450)	0
Proceeds from other borrowings	1,268	1,334	1,908
Repayments of borrowings	(1,346)	(1,430)	(1,923)
Other, net	9	(1)	(18)
Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations	11	979	290
Net cash used in financing activities from discontinued operations	(163)	(261)	(232)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(152)	718	58
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(7)	3	0
Add back change in cash and restricted cash of assets held for sale	81	321	(165)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	3,427	27	(734)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	1,911	1,884	2,618
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	$ 5,338	$ 1,911	$ 1,884