It wasn’t a fireworks show for Scott Bessent, the man Donald Trump nominated as our next treasury secretary. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) had the honor of introducing the South Carolina native, who embodies the American dream. Born in Conway, Bessent, like JD Vance, worked his way up the social ladder, got educated at Yale, and became a billionaire financier. He’s eminently qualified for the position.
It was a very policy-oriented hearing, only for the most hardcore of political junkies. Yet, some moments got a little intense. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) attacked the Trump agenda as hostile to working Americans. Wyden mentioned how grocery bills are a top concern when he hosts town halls in his home state. He forgets that Joe Biden is the one who’s made everyone poorer over the past four years.
MUST WATCH: "President Trump chose me because he believes that I'm the best candidate — not because of my sexual preference, not because treasury secretaries with green eyes do better — and I think it is a tribute to President Trump that he looks at people AS PEOPLE." pic.twitter.com/0bE5AhGmjG
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 16, 2025
Again, this is all for show because Bessent will be confirmed. Democrats spent significant time attacking the Trump tax cuts in 2017, wherein almost 80 percent of Americans got some relief. Even Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) seemed to like the policy at the time, with his only gripe being that the middle-class relief wasn’t permanent.
Sen. Michael Bennet took all his time to RANT and RANT about the Trump tax cuts only benefitting the richest Americans...for nearly FIVE STRAIGHT minutes.
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 16, 2025
Scott Bessent calmly destroyed the narrative (4:53 mark). pic.twitter.com/FoCdwA0wKV
BARRASSO: What would letting the Trump tax cuts expire mean for small businesses?
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 16, 2025
BESSENT: "It would be devastating, especially for small businesses... I believe Wall Street has done great the past few years, and that Main Street has suffered. I think it's Main Street's time." pic.twitter.com/t6dgp0zEpm
Bessent low-key roasted Democrats, saying there is no clean energy race with China. It’s just a plain sprint for energy dominance.
“China will build 100 new coal plants this year. There is not a clean energy race. There is an energy race. China will build 10 nuclear plants this year. I'm in favor of more nuclear,” he said.
Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 16, 2025
"China will build a hundred new coal plants this year. There is not a clean energy race. There's an energy race." pic.twitter.com/8bH7MwPEVo
Democrat senators are the most unimpressive people on earth.
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) January 16, 2025
It’s truly shocking they’ve gotten this far. pic.twitter.com/qeYYY4VfMU
BESSENT: Iran was down to 100,000 barrels of oil exports when President Trump left office — they're now exporting ~1.7 million.
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 16, 2025
We can make the Iranian regime broke again — and at the same time, increase our domestic production with the highest energy standards in the world. pic.twitter.com/6GbgBDCu4h
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) brought up an article in The Economist, which Bessent said he read after their meeting, adding that it serves as a reminder to his children that it’s essential to do your homework.
Mr. Bessent detailed the strategy behind tariffs in negotiation, how he plans to make the Iranian government poor again, and the devastating impact of doing nothing in trying to make the Trump tax cuts permanent, which should be a top domestic priority.
Treasury Secretary-designate Scott Bessent breaks down three ways the Trump administration could use tariffs:
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 16, 2025
1. Remedying unfair trade practices
2. Generalized tariffs as revenue raisers
3. Tariffs for negotiations pic.twitter.com/WvrAC54vIG
Oh, and I forgot about Bernie Sanders’ mini-huffy moment about how we’re becoming an oligarchical society, says the man with three houses. Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to two billionaires. Democrats are man that the big money people are now becoming MAGA supporters. They’re losing control and don’t know what to do because, for now, they don’t understand how people think anymore.
BERNIE SANDERS: "Do you agree with President Biden who last night stated 'an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that threatens our entire Democracy...'"
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 16, 2025
SCOTT BESSENT: "The three billionaires who you listed [Musk, Zuckerberg, Bezos] all… pic.twitter.com/lRg84D0P8O
***
Flashback:
.@jaketapper: “Next year, 91% of middle income Americans will receive a tax cut. Isn’t that a good thing?”@BernieSanders: “Yeah, it is a very good thing. And that’s why we should’ve made the tax cuts for the middle class permanent” #CNNSOTU https://t.co/ei8xTHGo1E
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) December 24, 2017
Same analysis finds that 75.5% would see a tax decrease in 2025 compared to current law. The average decrease is $2530. 8.9% would see a tax increase. https://t.co/RopZNFqZPW pic.twitter.com/ewdM4vLtUd
— AG (@AGHamilton29) December 19, 2017
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