Christopher Waller, governor of the US Federal Reserve, spoke during the C. Peter McColough Series on International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller recently had a “strong interview” with President Donald Trump for the central bank chair position, engaging in detailed discussions about the labor market and strategies to boost job creation, according to senior administration officials.
The interview was held at the president's residence and concluded shortly before Trump delivered a national address on the economy Wednesday night. Present at the interview were Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino.
Officials revealed that Rick Rieder from Blackrock is slated for an interview regarding the Fed chair position at Mar-a-Lago in the last week of the year. It was also noted that Fed Governor Michelle Bowman is no longer in contention for the position.
Among those previously interviewed by Trump for the role are National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, considered a frontrunner in prediction markets, and former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh.
The officials commented that the in-depth discussion on jobs with Waller refuted concerns and criticisms that the president was exclusively seeking a candidate who would conform to his preferences on interest rates. They emphasized that Trump's interest in candidates has been comprehensive, covering an array of economic issues.
Last week, Trump expressed to The Wall Street Journal that he believed the Fed chair should consult with him on rates, clarifying, “It doesn't mean—I don't think he should do exactly what we say. But certainly we're—I'm a smart voice and should be listened to.”
On Thursday, in response to a reporter's question in the Oval Office, Trump expressed admiration for Waller, stating, “I think he's great. I mean, he's been a man who has been there a long time, somebody that I was very involved with.” Waller had been interviewed by Trump in 2019 and was nominated to the position of Fed governor.
While Waller received praise and a positive evaluation of his interview, there was no clear indication that he is the leading candidate for the position. It appears the interview process is ongoing with no final decision made by the president. Officials described the selection process as “highly organized.”
In his speech on Wednesday, Trump announced, “I will soon announce our next chairman of the Federal Reserve, someone who believes in lower interest rates by a lot and will ensure mortgage payments come down even further.”