Fed chair candidate Waller had 'strong interview' as Pres. Trump narrows shortlist to four

Core Points - The race for the Fed chair position is heating up, with Fed Governor Chris Waller having a strong interview with President Trump, focusing on the labor market and job creation [2][4] - Other candidates include NEC Director Kevin Hasset, former Fed Governor Kevin Worsh, and BlackRock's Rick Reer, who is scheduled for an interview [3][4] - The administration emphasizes that the selection process is serious and involves discussions on broader economic issues, countering the narrative that the president seeks a candidate who will only follow his orders on interest rates [4][6][9] Candidate Interviews - Chris Waller's interview was attended by key administration officials, indicating his candidacy is being taken seriously [3] - The president's interest in candidates is broad-based, focusing on various economic topics rather than solely on interest rate policies [4][6] - The process includes multiple candidates, with Hasset being favored in prediction markets, while Michelle Bowman is no longer considered [4] Economic Context - The discussions during the interviews reflect the administration's concern about the job market, as recent job numbers have not been favorable [18] - The selection of the Fed chair is being closely watched by Wall Street and global financial centers, highlighting its significance [11]