Donald Trump Expected to Pick Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State, Reports Say

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to offer Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, who has close business ties to Russia, the position of Secretary of State, both NBC news and the New York Times are reporting, citing sources close to the transition.

Tillerson emerged as the frontrunner recently and met with Trump on Tuesday and again on Saturday for more than two hours at his residence. He was reportedly recommended for the position to Trump by former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, both of whom are consultants for Exxon, according to a Politico report.

The news comes a day after former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, one of Trump's most loyal surrogates during the campaign, withdrew himself from the running. Giuliani told Trump in November that he would remain in the private sector. He had been under consideration for the position.

Other contenders for the position included former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who at one point was said to be the frontrunner. He met with Trump twice but there was some discord within the Trump campaign about nominating Romney for the position, with campaign manager Kellyanne Conway openly voicing her displeasure for him.

Tillerson was awarded the Order of Friendship by Russia in 2013 after he struck a deal giving Exxon access to Arctic resources in Russia and allowed Russia's state oil company to invest in Exxon concessions. In a Wall Street Journal article, friends and associates said few U.S. citizens were closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin than Tillerson. He has never worked in government before but has experience negotiating with international partners due to Exxon's global presence.

The position requires a confirmation from the United States Senate. Sen. John McCain has already said he has concerns about Tillerson's ties to Putin.

Trump transition spokesman Jason Miller tweeted on Saturday that no announcement would be made by the team regarding the position until next week at the earliest. Trump was attending the Army-Navy game in Baltimore on Saturday.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.

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