Trump Says He Wants to Keep Hassett in White House, Clouding Fed Chair Selection

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 16: National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett speaks to the press after doing a television interview outside the West Wing of the White House on December 16, 2025 in Washington, DC. Hassett spoke about a range of topics including the recent November jobs report announcement. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday said he would like to keep his top economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, at the White House rather than potentially nominate him to replace Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve. Trump’s comments, while not clearly definitive, have upended expectations around the extensive search the White House has undergone to find a new Fed chair, one of the most powerful financial positions in the world. The president’s remarks have boosted the prospects for Kevin Warsh, a former Fed governor and already a top contender for the position.