Trump starts final interviews for Fed chair to replace Jay Powell in May 2026

During the week of December 10 2025, Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent began a final round of interviews to select a new Federal Reserve chair to succeed Jay Powell in May 2026. National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett is seen as the leading contender, with Kevin Warsh, Christopher Waller, Michelle Bowman and Rick Rieder still under consideration. Prediction markets have sharply repriced the candidates’ odds.