The Treasury secretary received counsel and criticism from some of his predecessors over President Trump’s policies.The New York Times reports that the Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, received both counsel and criticism from some of his predecessors over President Trump’s policies. The traditional gathering of former Treasury secretaries, organized by former Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, usually serves as a lighthearted and pleasant affair. However, this month’s dinner, which took place on President Trump’s “Liberation Day,” had a strikingly serious tone.
The dinner occurred during a tumultuous time for the U.S. economy, with the president implementing tariffs on both allies and adversaries, causing upheaval in global trade. Mr. Bessent, who was at the center of these policies, was questioned by his predecessors about the strategy behind the tariffs and their potential impact on the economy. According to attendees, Mr. Bessent became defensive at times when confronted about Mr. Trump’s approach.
The guest list included former Treasury secretaries Robert E. Rubin, Henry M. Paulson, Lawrence H. Summers, Timothy F. Geithner, and Jack Lew. However, former Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen was unable to attend as she was traveling in Australia.
The Treasury Department declined to comment on the dinner, and Mr. Bessent also declined to comment for the article. The New York Times also notes that if you are in Reader mode, please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for full access to the article.
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