Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

erronis

(23,068 posts)
Wed Feb 4, 2026, 05:52 PM 3 hrs ago

Trump's Treasury Secretary Caught in Blatant Lie to Congress

https://newrepublic.com/post/206159/trump-treasury-secretary-caught-blatant-lie-congress

Scott Bessent claimed he never wrote a letter warning investors about the impact of tariffs. Well, here's the proof.



Democratic Representative Maxine Waters caught Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a clear and obvious lie during a congressional hearing.

"Did you write a letter to investors raising concerns about the impact of tariffs, writing that 'tariffs are inflationary'? Did you say that at that time, yes or no?" Waters asked.

"Uh, no," Bessent replied.

"OK ... we have a New York Times article that agrees that you said that," Waters said.

"Great, New York Times," Bessent said, smiling.


Waters continued:

"Last summer, when you testified before a Senate committee, you said, and I quote, 'There is no inflation. Tariffs are not being passed on to consumers.' You were quite definitive, and even claimed that critics had 'tariff derangement syndrome,'" she said. "Well, those comments are at odds with the statement you made to investors that tariffs are inflationary.... Are tariffs inflationary? Yes or no?"

"According to the San Francisco Federal Reserve ... tariffs do not cause inflation," Bessent said.


Bessent may have very well perjured himself, given the letter he claimed doesn't exist certainly does. In that January 2024 letter, which Semafor's Eleanor Mueller first highlighted, Bessent wrote: "Tariffs are inflationary and would strengthen the dollar--hardly a good starting point for a US industrial renaissance." He then goes on to argue that Trump will weaken the dollar to "make US manufacturing competitive."

. . .
1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trump's Treasury Secretary Caught in Blatant Lie to Congress (Original Post) erronis 3 hrs ago OP
Another KRASNOV robot with another lie and nothing happens. UTUSN 3 hrs ago #1
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Trump's Treasury Secretar...