Trump Considers Economist Christopher Phelan for Top White House Role

Phelan, a Minneapolis Fed adviser, emerges as leading candidate to lead Council of Economic Advisers.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:37pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a solitary desk in a White House office, with warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the surface, conceptually representing the high-stakes economic decisions facing the administration.As the White House confronts economic pressures, the selection of a new chief economist could shape the administration's policy approach.Minneapolis Today

President Donald Trump is moving closer to naming economist Christopher Phelan to lead the White House Council of Economic Advisers, according to people familiar with the matter, as the administration confronts fresh economic pressures tied to higher gas prices and persistent voter anxiety about household costs.

Why it matters

The Council of Economic Advisers is a key internal voice that helps shape domestic and international economic policy for the president. Phelan's potential selection comes at a politically sensitive moment for Trump, who has faced a more difficult economic backdrop in recent weeks as fuel prices surged and broader cost-of-living concerns remained a strain on consumers.

The details

Phelan, an adviser in the Minneapolis Fed's research department and a professor of economics at the University of Minnesota, has emerged as the leading candidate to become Trump's chief economist, according to people with knowledge of the matter. If nominated and confirmed, Phelan would formally succeed Stephen Miran, who left the CEA chairmanship in February after an unusual dual-role arrangement that followed his September 2025 appointment to the Federal Reserve Board.

  • In September 2025, Stephen Miran took office at the Federal Reserve.
  • In February 2026, Miran stepped down from the White House post.

The players

Christopher Phelan

An adviser in the Minneapolis Fed's research department and a professor of economics at the University of Minnesota who has emerged as the leading candidate to become Trump's chief economist.

Stephen Miran

The former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers who left the position in February 2026 after taking on a dual role at the Federal Reserve in September 2025.

Pierre Yared

The current acting leader of the Council of Economic Advisers.

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What they’re saying

“Any reporting about personnel decisions, unless officially announced by the White House, should be considered baseless speculation.”

— Kush Desai, White House spokesperson

What’s next

If nominated, Phelan would need to be confirmed by the Senate before taking over the Council of Economic Advisers.

The takeaway

Phelan's potential selection to lead the Council of Economic Advisers comes at a critical time for the Trump administration, as it grapples with economic challenges like rising gas prices and persistent inflation concerns that could impact the president's political standing.