After two weeks of speculation about a number of different of Cabinet appointments, sources close to President-elect Donald Trump say he’s “very close” to reaching a decision on who he’ll appoint to the all-important position of President of the United States.

Trump has been huddling with aides and members of his transition team for days now, agonizing over which of his 6 or so potential options would be the best fit – both practically and politically – for the job.

In a video message to the nation, released yesterday, Trump said it was “critical” the position be filled by “the right person for the job.”

Other posts, such as Secretary of State and Health and Human Services, were “not so important,” he said.

“We have so many talented people, so many incredible people,” he said. “I mean, I could choose any of them, to tell you the truth, and they’d do a great job; they’d do a great, great job. No matter what, they are going to do a job.

“Yesterday, I met with Governor Mitt Romney. We had a very good meeting. I also met with Speaker Newt Gingrich, who has done many things, so many things. Some of them good, some of them, not so much. But so many things, and as President, he would do many other things, believe me.”

Constitutional experts say that Trump’s power to appoint Cabinet positions does not extend to appointing the President, and those around him concede that they’re all just waiting “for him to realise.”

“The mood is pretty tense right now,” said one source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “He really has no idea. He doesn’t realise he actually has to be the president.”

In a private meeting with the head of his transition team, Vice President-elect Mike Pence, Trump was running through names for the appointment to President, when Pence attempted to close the discussion by suggesting “Well, Donald, you’ll probably just have to do it yourself.”

“Trump laughed,” the source recalled. “Quite loudly. It was very quiet after that. Very awkward. Mike moved on. We’re all too afraid to tell him, at this point.”

Those said to be under consideration to be Trump’s president include Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Fox News’s Sean Hannity, Will Smith’s cousin Carlton, and a stack of burning tires.

Those with knowledge of the process are even suggesting that, for integrity’s sake – and in line with his promise to “drain the swamp” – the President-elect may go for a pick even further removed from himself, such as his conscience.