A source familiar with Trump's thinking said the president had a positive meeting with Christie, confirming a report by Axios.com, and considered him a top-tier candidate for the position.

Christie, a brash, tough-talking politician, was a contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 but abandoned the attempt after a poor showing in the New Hampshire primary and subsequently endorsed Trump, becoming his adviser throughout the 2016 campaign.

Other sources said Trump was hearing appeals from some advisers to consider Kushner, a top White House aide who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, for the chief of staff job.

But one source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Kushner was currently not inclined to pursue the position.