President-elect Donald Trump reportedly appeared closer to appointing a Treasury secretary on Friday when he met with top candidate Scott Besant, according to a report.
Meanwhile, Fox Business host Larry Kudlow — who was earlier reported Friday as a top contender for the job — told the president-elect’s team that he does not want to return to government office. According to the Wall Street Journal,
Tensions have risen in the race to lead the Treasury Department between Besant, founder of investment firm Square Capital Management, and Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, the report said. Trump and Besant were scheduled to meet Friday for the second time this week, sources told the Journal.
The report said Kudlow — who served as director of the National Economic Council during Trump’s first administration — met with the president-elect this weekend, but his team has said he has no interest in the job. Not interested.
“Larry Kudlow recently signed a new deal to continue hosting his eponymous program on Fox Business and will continue his current role at one of the highest-rated shows on the network,” a Fox News spokesperson told The Post. He has no plans to leave the role.”
Sources told the Journal that the 77-year-old former CNBC contributor was being considered to lead the NEC or possibly the Treasury Department.
Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Meanwhile, aides to Lutnick and Besant are aggressively campaigning for their respective candidates and making the case against the other in a “cold war” that has irritated Trump, the Journal said, citing Trump advisers and sources. Are.
The report said Trump and his team have also chosen Robert Lighthizer, who was the US trade representative during Trump’s first administration, and Apollo Global Management CEO Mark Rowan for roles including Treasury secretary.
Sources told the Journal that Rowan met with Trump in New York before the election to discuss the state of the economy.
Sources said that the two have not met again since the elections.
Sources told the Journal that Trump had not made a decision as of late Thursday and that discussions were expected to continue throughout Friday.
The report said that once Trump decides on a Treasury Secretary, other candidates will be considered to head the NEC.
So far, Trump has announced more than 10 planned nominees for his Cabinet, including controversial picks Vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. To run the health department, Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth For the Secretary of Defense and Former Representative Matt GaetzWho has been accused of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use during his tenure as Attorney General.
