
President Donald Trump has reshuffled the pack of contenders for the next Federal Reserve chair, elevating two candidates he says are now at the top of his list – and they’re both named Kevin.
According to a new Wall Street Journal report, Trump is giving a fresh look at former Fed governor Kevin Warsh while continuing to hint that National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett could take the top job.
In an Oval Office interview on Friday, Trump said Warsh has surged ahead after a Wednesday meeting that appears to have impressed the president.
“Yes, I think he is,” Trump told the publication when asked if Warsh now leads the field. “I think you have Kevin and Kevin. They’re both — I think the two Kevins are great.” Trump noted, however, that there are “a couple of other” contenders still in the mix.
Warsh, who served on the Federal Reserve Board from 2006 to 2011, reportedly shares Trump’s aggressive view on slashing interest rates – a top priority the MAGA leader has repeatedly pressured current Fed Chair Jerome Powell to do in his second term.
“He thinks you have to lower interest rates,” Trump told the Journal. “And so does everyone else that I’ve talked to.”
Prediction markets moved immediately after the Friday interview, CNBC reported. Hassett previously dominated odds, but dropped from about 71 percent to 62 percent, with Warsh at 36 percent.
But Trump still seized the opportunity to take yet another swipe at Powell, suggesting in the interview that he is moving cautiously with his decision “because I was given a bad recommendation” when he nominated Powell to the job in 2017.
Trump also revived his assertion that the Fed chair should consult the president directly on interest-rate decisions, which he said, “used to be done routinely.”
“I’m a smart voice and should be listened to,” he said.
Trump tells @meridithmcgraw he is leaning towards Warsh or Hassett for Fed chair.
Trump said Warsh was at the top of his list. “Yes, I think he is. I think you have Kevin and Kevin. They’re both—I think the two Kevins are great." w/ @schwartzbWSJ https://t.co/77Pgc2bCyh
— Nick Timiraos (@NickTimiraos) December 12, 2025




