Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stepped onto the stage at the American Bankers Association meeting with a calm confidence. Despite President Trump mocking worried financiers as “yippy” and labeling critics “Panicans,” Bessent delivered a message that steadied investors and satisfied his boss.
He assured the crowd that the president’s aggressive tariffs were already drawing results. Over 75 nations had shown interest in negotiating. Fifteen had proposed deals. Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam had all engaged directly with Trump, Bessent revealed.
“I’m not going anywhere for Easter,” he joked, hinting he’d be leading the next round of global talks.
Wall Street and Main Street Both Listening
Bessent didn’t stick to one platform. He pushed his message on Fox Business, CNBC, and even sat down with populist podcaster Tucker Carlson. His tone remained consistent: support for Trump’s agenda with a shift toward the working class.
“Wall Street’s done great. It can continue doing well. But it’s Main Street’s turn,” he said.
As he moved between meetings and press conferences, Bessent kept a low profile. But insiders say he played a key role during market turbulence.
Internal Fights and High-Stakes Drama
Meanwhile, other Trump advisers clashed publicly. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick drew fire with his aggressive rhetoric. Elon Musk, upset over Tesla being targeted, lashed out at trade adviser Peter Navarro, calling him a “moron.”
Navarro fired back. The back-and-forth turned personal, but the White House dismissed it. “Boys will be boys,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shrugged.
Bessent stayed out of the mess. As the stock market dropped late in the week, he flew to Mar-a-Lago to help Trump shape a new strategy.
China in the Crosshairs
By Sunday, Bessent returned with Trump to Florida and made his focus clear: isolate China. The message to the rest of the world? America was open to deals—if nations avoided aligning with Beijing.
He compared China’s economic engine to Disney’s Fantasia, saying it “never stops dumping.” But he claimed Trump had the power to break that spell.
“President Trump has broken their business model with these tariffs,” he told Carlson.
Markets Rebound on Bessent’s Words
By Monday, Bessent’s steady tone appeared to work. Markets stabilized. Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro credited him directly. “Bessent is singlehandedly keeping the stock market from cratering,” he posted on X.
Even JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon backed him publicly, asking Trump to give Bessent time to land a deal.
“Trade deals are very large and very complex,” Dimon said.
Cool-Headed in a Storm of Chaos
Unlike some MAGA figures, Bessent avoided showmanship. He listened closely, adjusted his glasses, and occasionally paused to collect his thoughts.
He drew attention from all corners. On Carlson’s show, he pointed out how the wealth gap underscored Trump’s push for tariffs.
“The top 10 percent own 88 percent of equities. The next 40 percent own 12 percent. The bottom 50 percent? They only have debt,” he said.
Carlson agreed. “That’s the message right there.”
A New Face for Trump’s Trade Agenda
Bessent’s approach was different from former Trump officials like Gary Cohn or Steven Mnuchin, who once threatened to resign over tariffs.
Within days, Bessent had built strong support inside the administration.
“Secretary Bessent is one of the most respected minds in finance,” said deputy press secretary Harrison Fields. “He’s a vital asset to the President’s Cabinet.”
Sources in the White House called him “the adult in the room.” Others said he always kept the ship steady—even during the worst of the chaos.
Not Everyone on Board
Other advisers struggled to match Bessent’s style. Lutnick was seen as “reckless,” and Navarro stayed locked in his hawkish views. Musk’s calls for free trade were brushed aside.
But Bessent remained front and center as Trump finally hit pause on the most extreme tariff measures.
Outside the White House, he joined Leavitt to announce victory.
The plan? According to Bessent, it had been in motion since Sunday’s Mar-a-Lago meeting. He refused to take credit.
“No one creates leverage for himself like President Donald Trump,” he said.
