Key Points:
- Bessent slams NYT on Trump
- Tariffs to persist despite the court
- Focus: media challenge + trade resilience
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent delivered a direct and unusual rebuke to The New York Times during its own DealBook Summit, criticizing the newspaper’s coverage of former President Donald Trump and questioning its longstanding identity as the “paper of record.”
Scott Bessent objected to a recent report that suggested Trump showed signs of declining stamina, including fewer public appearances and reduced schedules. He dismissed the characterizations as inaccurate and insisted that his personal interactions with the president sharply contradicted that narrative.
According to Bessent, Trump remains fully engaged, energetic, and alert — pointing specifically to a late-night call earlier in the week as proof that the former president maintains a demanding pace. He described the report as “totally false” and argued that the newspaper had abandoned its traditional commitment to accuracy.
The exchange grew even more pointed when Bessent suggested that The New York Times had failed to apply the same level of scrutiny to President Biden during his tenure, implying an imbalance in the way major media outlets portray political figures. Despite the stern criticism, Bessent maintained a measured tone, insisting his remarks reflected concern over shifting journalistic standards rather than partisan frustration.
The episode underscored a widening gap between the administration and prominent national media institutions, highlighting a broader battle over narrative control and public trust.
Administration Asserts Tariff Plans Will Continue Regardless of Court Ruling
In a separate policy discussion at the summit, Scott Bessent expressed confidence that the administration’s sweeping tariff program would endure even if the Supreme Court rules against the emergency authorities used to implement the current structure.
He acknowledged that the legality of the tariff mechanism remains under review, but emphasized that the administration has prepared alternative paths to re-establish similar trade measures. Several longstanding trade laws, he noted, offer the government multiple avenues to impose broad tariffs on imports without relying on emergency-specific provisions.
Although Scott Bessent conceded that these alternatives may be procedurally more complex, he stressed that the outcome would ultimately mirror the current tariff framework. The administration, he said, is fully committed to maintaining a tariff-centric trade policy, arguing that it remains a crucial tool in shaping global economic relationships and safeguarding U.S. industries.
His remarks also suggested confidence that domestic support for strong trade protections remains high, reinforcing the administration’s belief that tariffs will continue to be a defining feature of its economic agenda.
A Dual Message: Media Accountability and Policy Determination
Together, Scott Bessent’s comments offered a revealing look at the administration’s twin priorities: challenging what it views as flawed or biased narratives in mainstream media and reinforcing its commitment to economic strategies that it considers central to national strength.
By taking aim at The New York Times during its own event, Bessent signaled the administration’s willingness to confront traditional media institutions directly — a shift that reflects broader tensions over trust, neutrality, and influence.
Simultaneously, his firm stance on tariffs indicates a calculated effort to maintain policy continuity even in the face of potential legal setbacks. That combination of communication strategy and policy resilience paints a picture of an administration determined to shape both public perception and economic direction on its own terms.
As the Supreme Court decision approaches and debates over media credibility intensify, Bessent’s remarks are likely to become part of larger national conversations about transparency, authority, and the balance of power across political, journalistic, and judicial spheres.
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