The Date Donald Trump Will Announce the New Fed Chair Is Starting to Take Shape: Here Are the Strongest Candidates

It is reported that US President Donald Trump may make the appointment of the new FED Chairman, which global markets are eagerly awaiting, in the first week of January 2026.

While the decision-making process is said to have entered its “final stage,” critical names are emerging on the candidate list.

The meticulous search for the head of the Federal Reserve, one of the most critical positions in US President Donald Trump’s economic administration, is nearing its end. According to a CNBC report citing high-level sources, the new chairman could be officially announced in the first week of January.

Trump’s final step before making his decision will be a meeting at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida during the last week of the year. The president is expected to interview Rick Rieder, one of the remaining candidates, there and then finalize his decision.

As the pool of candidates narrows, markets are focusing on four names:

• Kevin Hassett: He is still seen as the strongest candidate in forecasting markets. However, Hassett’s closeness to Trump has raised some concerns on Wall Street regarding the independence of the Fed.
• Christopher Waller: Waller, a current member of the FED, is reported to have had a very “strong” meeting recently. His familiarity with Wall Street is being viewed positively by the markets.
• Kevin Warsh: Warsh, who previously served on the FED board, maintains his high ranking on the list.
• Rick Rieder: A prominent financial figure who will be conducting the final interview of the year.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is reportedly closely monitoring the process but is avoiding favoring any particular candidate. Sources claim Bessent is trying to create a neutral environment “so that the President can make his own choice.” A source close to Trump summarized the situation with these words: “This is one of the most important decisions in the administration of the most powerful man in the world; the President himself will decide this, not a committee.”

*This is not investment advice.