Trump to begin final round of interviews for Fed chair this week: Report

WASHINGTON

US President Donald Trump will begin the final round of interviews this week to select the next chairman of the Federal Reserve, the Financial Times reported Tuesday.

Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are expected to meet with former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh on Wednesday, the report said, citing three senior administration officials.

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett remains the frontrunner for the job, according to the officials. Hassett has supported Trump's calls for lower interest rates and broad import tariffs.

Asked about the report while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump responded: “We’re going to be looking at a couple of different people, but I have a pretty good idea who I want.”

Trump for months has urged the Fed to cut interest rates and said that picking a successor to Jerome Powell, whose term as Fed Chair expires in May 2026, would give him his biggest chance yet to reform the organization.

He has blasted Powell as being too hesitant and timid in seeking cuts and hinted that he expects his replacement to act more strongly to decrease rates.