Trump: Next Fed chair to be announced 'early next year’

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he will likely announce his pick for the next Federal Reserve chair early next year, ahead of the expiry of current Chair Jerome Powell’s term in May 2026.

“We’ll be announcing somebody, probably early next year, for the new chairman of the Fed,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, without giving further details.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in charge of the selection process, had previously indicated the decision could be made public before Christmas.

Trump said he already knew who he would nominate and has been considering around 10 potential candidates, narrowing the choice to one.

Trump has long criticised Powell as “too hesitant” in seeking interest rate cuts and suggested his successor would act more decisively to reduce rates. Powell could remain on the Fed board for two more years as a governor after his term as chair ends.

Potential candidates reportedly include White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, Fed Vice Chair for Oversight Michelle Bowman, Fed Board Member Christopher Waller, former Fed Board Member Kevin Warsh, and BlackRock executive Rick Rieder.

Separately, Trump said the U.S. will see “the largest tax refund season ever” next year, with refunds to be paid from tariff revenues.

He suggested that, in the future, Americans might even pay no income tax, citing the substantial revenue generated under his administration.

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