Bessent, seen as a front-runner for Treasury secretary, is meeting with Trump, sources say By Reuters
Written by Steve Holland, Alexandra Ulmer and Lawrence Delevingne
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida, SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Prominent investor Scott Bessent met with Donald Trump on Friday as he and fellow investor John Paulson emerged as frontrunners for the key role of U.S. Treasury secretary, according to two people close to the president. – choose.
Bessent and Paulson are among several names that have been reported in the media as possible players these days. The final decision rests with Trump, and Reuters could not learn whether others were excluded or in contention.
One of the two sources said Bessent’s meetings at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Florida estate were “very positive.”
Trump spokespeople did not respond to a request for comment. Spokesmen for Bessent and Paulson declined to comment.
It was unclear whether Paulson had met or had plans to meet with Trump.
Trump, who will return to the White House on Jan. 20, he has started the process of selecting the Cabinet and selecting senior management officials.
The role of Treasury Secretary is an important Cabinet position, which has a major impact on economic, regulatory and international affairs. Wall Street is watching closely for Trump’s nominee, especially given his plans to reshape global trade through tariffs.
Bessent and Paulson, both financial backers of the Trump campaign, have long looked to Trump for such a role. In a January campaign speech, Trump floated Paulson as Treasury Secretary. A source familiar with the matter at the time said Trump wanted Paulson to lead the Treasury, and if not, Bessent.
A longtime hedge fund investor who has taught at Yale University for several years, Bessent has a warm relationship with the president-elect and has been vocal about Trump’s use of taxes as a negotiating tool. Paulson, a billionaire investor and major Trump backer, is a longtime advocate of tax cuts and deregulation.
Other names considered for the role are FOX Business Network host Larry Kudlow, Trump’s former US trade representative Robert Lighthizer and Howard Lutnick, who is the chairman of Trump’s transition team.
Business lawyer Jay Clayton, who was the head of the US Securities and Exchange Commission during the presidency of Donald Trump, is currently in talks for possible roles in Trump’s second term, although it seems unlikely that he will become Secretary of the Treasury.
JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: ) CEO Jamie Dimon, who has also been considered, has no plans to join Donald Trump’s administration, a source said earlier this week.
According to online betting website Polymarket, Bessent is the front-runner for Treasury Secretary, while Paulson may be at odds with Clayton and Kudlow.
Trump on Thursday announced that Susie Wiles, one of his two campaign managers, will become his White House chief of staff, in what is expected to be a series of staff announcements.
