Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy Emerges as Dark Horse Contender for Trump Chief of Staff Role

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is reportedly a top contender to become former President Donald Trump’s chief of staff if Trump wins the 2024 election, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Trump at a campaign rally Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. AP

McCarthy, 59, who was ousted as House speaker in October, is seen as a strong candidate due to his extensive experience in Washington, though no final decision has been made.

While McCarthy has not campaigned for the position, sources say he has expressed openness to joining a second Trump administration in some capacity.

Trump, 78, has promised sweeping changes in areas such as tax cuts and foreign policy, which could give McCarthy an edge due to his background in navigating the complexities of Capitol Hill.

Kevin McCarthy and Donald Trump attend a legislation signing rally with local farmers on February 19, 2020 in Bakersfield, California. Getty Images

Also in consideration for the role are Trump campaign co-manager Susie Wiles and former White House domestic policy adviser Brooke Rollins, with Wiles currently viewed as the frontrunner due to her close ties to Trump and successful management of his 2024 campaign.

“[McCarthy] knows DC better than Susie,” one source told *The Post*, “but she knows Trump better than him.”

Though some insiders believe McCarthy may be angling for the role, a third source told *The Post* that McCarthy recently expressed disinterest in becoming Trump’s chief of staff, saying, “Kevin legit doesn’t want it.”

McCarthy, who served less than a year as speaker before being removed in a revolt led by eight Republicans, has been a vocal supporter of Trump since leaving office and has heavily campaigned for his re-election in media appearances.

Trump has gone through four chiefs of staff during his first term, starting with Reince Priebus, followed by John Kelly, Mick Mulvaney, and Mark Meadows, each of whom faced various challenges in managing Trump’s administration.

While formal discussions about staffing a second Trump administration are still considered premature, campaign communications director Steven Cheung said Trump is focused on preparing for