President Donald Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is sounding the alarm on the U.S. economy — and he’s putting the blame squarely on Democrats for refusing to end the historic government shutdown now stretching into its 40th day.
Bessent: “The Economy’s Taking a Major Hit — and It’s the Democrats’ Fault”
During a fiery appearance on ABC’s This Week, Bessent faced off with George Stephanopoulos in a tense back-and-forth that highlighted the growing divide in Washington. When asked if the shutdown was leaving a permanent mark on the economy, Bessent didn’t hold back.
“Sure, George,” he replied. “We’ve seen an impact from day one — and it’s getting worse and worse. Under President Trump, we had a fantastic economy for the past two quarters. But now, if this Democrat-driven shutdown continues, growth could be cut in half.”
Economists agree that the shutdown is hurting small businesses, military families, and everyday Americans who depend on government services. Bessent emphasized that Democrats could easily end the pain if they’d just come to the table and work with President Trump.
“This isn’t complicated,” Bessent added. “We need five brave, moderate Democratic senators to cross the aisle and do what’s right for the country.”
Tense Exchange Over Filibuster and Media Hypocrisy
The conversation took a sharp turn when Stephanopoulos pressed Bessent about Trump’s repeated calls to end the Senate filibuster, which has long been used by Democrats to block key legislation.
“Is that the best way to end the shutdown right now?” Stephanopoulos asked.
Bessent pushed back — hard. He pointed to Stephanopoulos’s own role in the Clinton White House during the 1990s.
“You were involved in shutdowns back then, George,” Bessent said. “You called Republicans terrorists and blamed us for standing up for fiscal sanity. Now, you’re defending the same tactics you once condemned.”
Stephanopoulos tried to pivot, but Bessent didn’t let him off the hook.
“I’ve got all your quotes right here,” Bessent said, with a smirk. “I even bought your book this week — so that’s one sale you can thank me for.”
The exchange left viewers buzzing — a rare moment of truth on mainstream television where a Trump official called out liberal hypocrisy live on air.
Trump’s Team Stays Focused on Growth and American Families
Despite the media spin, the Trump administration insists that its top priority remains protecting the U.S. economy, securing the border, and restoring common-sense government that puts American families first.
“The President’s focus hasn’t changed,” Bessent concluded. “We built the strongest economy in modern history before — and we’ll do it again. But we need cooperation, not obstruction.”
As millions of Americans feel the strain of Washington’s gridlock, the contrast couldn’t be clearer: Trump’s team is fighting for prosperity, while Democrats seem determined to drag the economy down to score political points.
Why It Matters
For older Americans living on fixed incomes or retirement savings, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Inflation, energy prices, and grocery costs all rise when Washington can’t function. With Democrats stalling negotiations, Trump’s warning about an economic slowdown is a wake-up call for voters who’ve seen this movie before.
President Trump’s leadership revived the economy once — and if Democrats keep blocking progress, he may have to do it again.