Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent just threw a haymaker at anonymous leakers over an explosive Wall Street Journal story, according to The Hill.
The crux of this political firestorm is a Journal report claiming Bessent tried to steer President Trump away from firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, sparking a clash of leaks, lawsuits, and fiery social media posts.
Let’s rewind to last week, when Trump reportedly told GOP lawmakers he was considering ousting Powell over dissatisfaction with interest rate policies.
He later softened that stance, but the tension was already simmering. It’s no secret that Trump has been vocal about his frustration with the Fed’s direction under Powell’s watch.
Enter the Wall Street Journal, dropping a bombshell alleging Bessent personally urged Trump to rethink any drastic moves against Powell. Bessent didn’t take kindly to this, blasting the story on CNBC Monday as the work of ill-informed sources. Well, if leaks are the game, it seems Bessent isn’t playing.
“I think the problem with stories like this is — I’m not sure who the leaker was — but the problem with leakers is they only have partial information,” Bessent fired off.
Let’s be real: half-baked leaks often paint a skewed picture, especially when they target a leader like Trump, who thrives on bold, decisive action. The left-leaning media might love a good gossip piece, but it rarely captures the full chessboard.
Bessent didn’t stop there, praising Trump’s executive style as a cut above past administrations. “President Trump solicits a whole range of opinions and then makes a decision,” he noted. That’s a polite way of saying Trump isn’t swayed by whispers—he’s the one calling the shots, unlike some predecessors who seemed lost in economic fog.
Trump himself wasn’t shy, taking to Truth Social on Sunday to shred the Journal’s narrative. “Nobody had to explain to me that moving to fire Powell would be bad for the markets,” he declared. The man who claims credit for soaring markets isn’t about to let armchair critics rewrite his playbook.
Adding fuel to the fire, Trump slapped the Wall Street Journal with a defamation lawsuit on Friday over an unrelated story tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
It’s a separate battle, but it shows Trump’s patience with questionable reporting is razor-thin. When the media oversteps, he’s not one to sit quietly.
Speaker Johnson also chimed in, confirming the House won’t touch an Epstein-related resolution before recess. That’s a sidestep for now, but it keeps the Journal in the hot seat. The focus, though, remains on the Fed feud.
Bessent, pressed on CNBC about whether he’d caution Trump against firing Powell, kept his cards close but hinted at bigger questions.
“I want to examine the entire Federal Reserve Institution and whether they have been successful,” he said. That’s a diplomatic jab—if the Fed’s track record is shaky, shouldn’t we be asking why?
He also mentioned heading to a regulatory conference as the keynote speaker to discuss such matters. “I’m the keynote speaker tonight talking about regulation,” Bessent added. It’s a subtle reminder that policy, not palace intrigue, should drive the conversation.
Let’s not forget Trump’s broader point on Sunday about market impacts. If Powell’s policies are a drag, as Trump suggests, isn’t it reasonable to question the Fed’s sacred cow status? The progressive crowd might clutch their pearls, but tough scrutiny isn’t a crime—it’s accountability.
Bessent doubled down on Trump’s leadership, contrasting it with less economically savvy past presidents. He pointed to successes at the border and in foreign policy as proof of Trump’s sharp decision-making. It’s a fair argument—results speak louder than leaked whispers.
The Treasury Secretary’s frustration with media spin is palpable and frankly, understandable. When outlets like the Journal push narratives over nuance, it muddies the waters for Americans trying to grasp the real stakes. Let’s hope the focus shifts back to policy, not petty leaks.