Trump Signals Choice: Kevin Hassett Emerges as Front‑Runner for Fed Chair

President Donald Trump has indicated he has made up his mind about his nominee for Federal Reserve chair, and prediction markets — which let traders bet on political and economic outcomes — are signaling strong confidence in one contender. As of the latest quotes, those markets place Kevin Hassett, a senior economist who served as the White House Council of Economic Advisers chair from 2017 to 2019, at roughly an 80% probability of being selected, according to MarketWatch.

Hassett’s candidacy has attracted attention because of his close ties to the Trump administration’s economic agenda and his public commentary on growth, taxation and regulation. Economists and market participants note that a Fed chair drawn from the president’s inner circle could shift perceptions about future monetary policy direction, even before any formal policy actions.

If Hassett were nominated and confirmed, analysts expect scrutiny on several fronts. Markets will watch for indicators of whether the Fed’s independence remains intact and whether the central bank’s near‑term priorities would tilt more toward supporting economic growth over stricter inflation containment. Hassett has spoken favorably about pro‑growth fiscal policies in the past; however, his precise stance on interest‑rate strategy, inflation targeting nuance and balance‑sheet normalization would become clearer only through nomination hearings and the public record he lays out.

Investors have already started to price possible implications. A front‑runner perceived as sympathetic to looser monetary conditions could affect bond yields, equity valuations and currency moves. Conversely, any signals that Hassett would maintain traditional Fed tenets could calm markets concerned about political influence.

The nomination process involves White House selection, Senate confirmation hearings, and active evaluation by market participants. Even with high odds on prediction sites, uncertainty remains until a formal announcement and confirmation are complete. Observers should monitor official statements from the White House, comments by Federal Reserve leaders, and the evolving pricing in futures, options and prediction markets.

This developing story blends politics, economic policy and market dynamics. As more information becomes available — including any official White House announcement or the release of a nominee’s testimony and policy papers — the likely path for U.S. monetary policy and financial‑market reaction will become clearer.