A man who claimed to be President Trump’s top choice to serve as the ambassador to the European Union was never in the running for the position, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

Ted Malloch, an academic and critic of the EU, had claimed to be in strong consideration for the job, and his claims worried top EU officials, the report said.

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The State Department told the Journal Malloch isn't a candidate for the job, and a White House official said he was never in the running.

Malloch reportedly spoke at an event in Brussels this week that billed him as "the possible new U.S. Ambassador to the EU," days before President Trump's arrival at the EU capital.

Asked about the White House's denial that he's in the mix, Malloch told the Journal, "I'm not aware of that."

Top EU officials raised their concerns about Malloch during February meetings with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Vice President Mike Pence Michael (Mike) Richard PenceControversial CDC guidelines were written by HHS officials, not scientists: report Former DeVos chief of staff joins anti-Trump group Scott Walker helping to prep Pence for debate against Harris: report MORE, the report said.