Bessent Issues Economic Warning
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent issued a stark warning Monday, saying the Democrat-caused government shutdown is beginning to hit American families and the real economy — while the liberal media continues to cover for President Trump’s opponents.
Appearing on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria,” Bessent told host Maria Bartiromo that the mainstream press is downplaying the shutdown’s growing impact to shield Democrats from blame.
“Let’s be honest — the left’s media allies are pretending this isn’t serious,” Bessent said. “But it’s now hitting the real economy. It’s hurting people’s lives.”
The shutdown, now in its 13th day, began when Democrats refused to back the GOP’s funding plan unless it included an extension of Obamacare subsidies that expire this year. Those subsidies, pushed through under Biden, have driven up premiums and forced millions of Americans into expensive coverage they can’t afford.
Bartiromo, a respected journalist who has long supported President Trump’s pro-growth agenda, said Democrats may be stalling negotiations so they can attend next weekend’s “No Kings” protest in Washington, D.C.
Bessent didn’t hold back:
“If that’s true, then ‘No Kings’ means no paychecks — no paychecks, no government, and no respect for the American people,” he said.
Since the shutdown began, hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed, and the Trump administration confirmed in a recent filing that more than 4,000 federal employees could soon be terminated if Democrats refuse to act.
Conservatives argue the crisis exposes the left’s political gamesmanship — a willingness to harm working Americans just to embarrass the Trump administration.
“Democrats are putting politics ahead of paychecks,” one senior GOP official said. “Meanwhile, President Trump and his team are focused on restoring order, reopening government, and protecting America’s economy.”
