WASHINGTON (Reuters) -White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett is emerging as a serious contender to be the next chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Hassett met with President Donald Trump about the Fed job at least twice in June, the report said.

Trump has previously said he has three or four people in mind as contenders for the top Fed job. Those reportedly include former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh, Hassett, current Fed Governor Christopher Waller, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Trump has repeatedly criticized current Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates and has floated the idea of naming a successor soon.

Powell is due to leave office in May 2026.