President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE said Thursday he has narrowed down his list of candidates for White House chief of staff to five finalists.

The president made the revelation one day after Rep. Mark Meadows Mark Randall MeadowsThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November House moves toward spending vote after bipartisan talks House Democrats mull delay on spending bill vote MORE (R-N.C.), recently thought to be one of the top contenders, was taken out of the running.

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“We are interviewing people now for chief of staff,” Trump said during a meeting at the White House with governors-elect.

Trump said the remaining contenders are “mostly well known” and are “terrific people.”

According to Trump’s account, the number of people under consideration for the job has fallen dramatically in the past 48 hours. Trump told Reuters on Tuesday he was deciding between 10 and 12 people.

White House officials say Trump is expected to choose a new top aide by year’s end, when John Kelly John Francis KellyMORE plans to leave his post.

The process was upended last weekend when Trump's top choice for the job, Vice President Pence's chief of staff Nick Ayers, turned it down.

People now believed to be under consideration include former Trump campaign adviser David Bossie, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker and Energy Secretary Rick Perry Rick PerryEnergy secretary questions consensus that humans cause climate change OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump signs major conservation bill into law | Senate votes to confirm Energy's No. 2 official | Trump Jr. expresses opposition to Pebble Mine project MORE, according to multiple reports.

Bossie and former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski Corey R. LewandowskiHow Trump can win reelection: Focus on Democrats, not himself Trump Jr. distances from Bannon group, says he attended 'single' event Bannon, three others charged with defrauding donors of 'We Build The Wall' campaign MORE, who recently co-authored a book together, are expected to meet with the president on Friday at the White House.

In an interview earlier Thursday with Fox News, Trump said he wants a chief of staff who is “strong” and “thinks like I do."

The next chief of staff faces a tough task in navigating the White House through divided government starting next month and an intensifying Russia investigation, as well as the period leading up to Trump’s reelection campaign in 2020.

He or she will be Trump’s third chief of staff in roughly two years, a record level of turnover indicative of the high rate of departures that has plagued the West Wing.