According to individuals familiar with the matter, US President Donald Trump has held multiple phone conversations with Kevin Walsh since he assumed the role of Federal Reserve Chair.

The sources indicated that the communications between Trump and Walsh are irregular, sometimes occurring several times within a few days, followed by prolonged periods of silence. Some insiders noted that Trump has sought Walsh's advice on a range of issues, including the conflict with Iran and the rapid development of AI's impact on the US economy.

It remains unclear whether Trump and Walsh have discussed monetary policy. One person briefed on the conversations insisted that since Walsh's Senate confirmation, Trump has not mentioned interest rates. The White House stated that Trump believes the Federal Reserve should maintain its independence.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai said in a statement, "President Trump has repeatedly emphasized that he provides Walsh the space needed to restore market confidence in the Fed's decision-making and professional competence. As a US citizen, President Trump has the First Amendment right to free speech; as head of state, he also has a responsibility to express his views on the Fed. However, he has repeatedly reaffirmed his support for Walsh and the independence of the Federal Reserve."