Transcript

Bessent gets CORNERED by SENATE under BRUTAL CROSS-EXAM

From MeidasTouch · Episode page · Watch on YouTube

· 25 min · 4,314 words · 93 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "Bessent gets CORNERED by SENATE under BRUTAL CROSS-EXAM", an episode of MeidasTouch published February 5, 2026 (25 min, about 4,314 words). It mentions 12 people, works and ideas, including Donald Trump, Scott Besson, Treasury Department, IRS, United States Senate.

What this episode is about

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent faces intense scrutiny during his Senate testimony, where he is challenged by Democratic Senator Ggo regarding his handling of a controversial lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against the IRS. Bessent is questioned about his awareness of potential conflicts and the involvement of the Justice Department, as Democrats aim to expose allegations of lawlessness and corruption within the Treasury Department.

Key takeaways

  • Besson's testimony: the ultimate demonstration of 'following orders' in an administration that blurs ethics and power.
  • Taxpayers may fund Trump's legal whims—proof that even reality TV plots can become government policy.
  • When a lawsuit could cost taxpayers $10 billion, you’ve reached a new level of financial reality show drama.
  • Besson's role: High-ranking puppet with strings pulled by the DOJ; hope they’re at least handing him a guide.
  • With one frivolous lawsuit, Trump could turn 'The Art of the Deal' into 'The Art of the Drain'.

Who speaks in this episode?

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 5:00: Donald Trump, Scott Besson, Treasury Department, IRS
  2. – 10:00: Andy Kim, Jared Kushner, Donald Trump, Treasury Department
  3. – 15:00: Donald Trump, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Wall Street Journal, Senator Elizabeth Warren
  4. – 20:00: Donald Trump, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Kevin Worsh
  5. – 24:54: Donald Trump

Notable quotes from "Bessent gets CORNERED by SENATE under BRUTAL CROSS-EXAM"

  • Senator Ggo was leading the way in this cross-examination and he said, So Donald Trump's trying to pay himself $10 billion in a frivolous lawsuit that he filed against the IRS, which is underneath the Treasury Department, and you're just.
    about Donald Trump · at
  • When you had the Russia talks, was Jared Kushner a part of the Russia talks?
    about Jared Kushner · at
  • Founder Zhao, when seeing instead investigating Jerome Powell, when we And then Senator Kim asked about the pardon of Binance founder CZ or Zho, who plead guilty to very serious money laundering charges. Let's play this clip right here.
    about Andy Kim · at
  • Keep telling us and the facts keep telling us. In fact, just this past Monday, the Wall Street Journal published this article entitled, US manufacturing is in retreat and…
    about Wall Street Journal · at
  • You. So, 72,000 manufacturing jobs according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. thank you for answering the question. Manufacturer shed workers.
    about Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis · at
  • You ran the search for Donald Trump's Fed chair nominee and Trump promised, quote, Anyone that disagrees with me will never be Fed chairman. Kevin Worsh got the nod last Friday and then over.
    about Senator Elizabeth Warren · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

  • Donald Trump — Person · Central referenced political figure (subject of allegations and policy discussion) · 16 mentions · first at
    The hearing discussion centers on alleged conflicts of interest involving Trump, including a claimed $10B lawsuit against IRS/Treasury and other claims potentially paid from Treasury funds.
  • Scott Besson — Person · Primary referenced witness (Treasury Secretary) under cross-examination · 4 mentions · first at
    Portrayed as the key official being questioned about Treasury/DOJ roles, the Judgment Fund, IRS oversight, tariffs, and alleged conflicts tied to Trump.
    Before the House of Representatives, and now he's testifying before the United States Senate. It's an absolute disaster for Treasury Secretary Scott Besson.
  • Senator Elizabeth Warren — Person · Referenced senator/questioner · 2 mentions · first at
    Appears as a prominent Democratic interrogator pressing on affordability/inflation claims and the Fed chair nomination process.
  • Andy Kim — Person · Referenced senator/questioner · 4 mentions · first at
    Depicted questioning conflicts of interest (Treasury/IRS lawsuit), Kushner’s role, and the Binance founder pardon scenario.
  • Jared Kushner — Person · Referenced political figure tied to foreign-policy talks/conflict-of-interest concerns · 3 mentions · first at
    Raised in questioning about participation in 'Russia talks' and whether he holds an official role, framed as part of broader conflict-of-interest concerns involving the Trump family.
  • Kevin Worsh — Person · Referenced nominee (Fed chair nominee per transcript; spelling variant) · 1 mention · first at
    Appears in discussion of Trump’s Fed chair selection and alleged pressure/threats related to interest-rate decisions.
    Will never be Fed chairman. Kevin Worsh got the nod last Friday and then over the weekend, Donald Trump joked that he would sue Mr. Worsh if he failed to lower interest rates.…

Companies & orgs

  • Treasury Department — Company · Government agency · 2 mentions · first at
    Central to the discussion regarding the lawsuit filed by Donald Trump and the handling of taxpayer funds.
    Senator Ggo was leading the way in this cross-examination and he said, So Donald Trump's trying to pay himself $10 billion in a frivolous lawsuit that he filed against the IRS, which is underneath the Treasury Department, and you're just.
  • IRS — Company · Government agency · 1 mention · first at
    Involved in the lawsuit filed by Donald Trump, highlighting potential conflicts of interest and misuse of taxpayer funds.
    Senator Ggo was leading the way in this cross-examination and he said, So Donald Trump's trying to pay himself $10 billion in a frivolous lawsuit that he filed against the IRS, which is underneath the Treasury Department, and you're just.
  • Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis — Company · Financial institution · 2 mentions · first at
    Cited as a source for economic data regarding manufacturing job losses under the Trump administration.

Places & events

  • United States Senate — Place · Government body · 2 mentions · first at
    The setting for the testimony of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant, where he was cross-examined by Democratic senators.
    Cabinet members, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant, is testifying again on Capitol Hill. He previously testified before the House of Representatives, and now he's testifying…
  • Capitol Hill — Place · Government setting · 1 mention · first at
    The location where Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant testified, highlighting the political and legal scrutiny he faced.
    One of Donald Trump's most lossome cabinet members, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant, is testifying again on Capitol Hill. He previously testified before the House of Representatives, and.

Media & podcasts

  • Wall Street Journal — Media · News outlet · 2 mentions · first at
    Referenced as a source for an article criticizing the impact of Trump's tariffs on manufacturing.

Full transcript with timestamps

One of Donald Trump's most lossome cabinet members, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant, is testifying again on Capitol Hill. He previously testified before the House of Representatives, and now he's testifying before the United States Senate. It's an absolute disaster for Treasury Secretary Scott Besson. It's being cross-examined by Democrats and being exposed for his utter lawlessness and corruption. Let's take a look at what went down. Democratic Senator Ggo was leading the way in this cross-examination and he said, "So Donald Trump's trying to pay himself $10 billion in a frivolous lawsuit that he filed against the IRS, which is underneath the Treasury Department, and you're just going to write that check to him, Treasury Secretary Scott Besson. Watch what took place. Play this clip."

But if the president prevails in this lawsuit, he's going to be able to pocket that money. Um, my question is, is the president has anyone in the president's office talked to you about this lawsuit in any regard?

Uh, they have not. And the president has said he will donate the proceeds to charity. You may have missed that.

So, no one at all has discussed this to you whatsoever. No, sir. And the president said he will.

Have you received I'm I didn't ask any more questions. Have you received any advice from Treasury's legal division about how to handle this potential conflict?

This is a Justice Department matter. They represent treasury in it as have someone from Department of Justice actually come and talked to you saying that this is their purview and you need to stay out of it or what what have they who who has discussed to you what is your role in this?

Our our general counsel who's sitting behind me has told me that it is a justice department matter. The justice department defends treasuries and treasury in matters like this.

Okay. So you have has been discussed with you. Do you have any final say at all in the process of this? Or is the DOJ just going to instruct you to cut a check and or settle and you have no independence to actually make a decision whether or not the president deserves $10 billion?

Uh again, that that is a DOJ matter. And so the DOJ will entirely make that decision if and whether or not the president should receive $10 billion. You have no say at all.

Correct. So you will just have to write the check if you were told to write the check.

Correct. you would write the check willingly if you were told by a DOJ to the president.

I I I will follow the law senator. Okay. I mean I think for many of us this is very simple and I think if if this had been happening in any other countries through the book an absolute like a total uh shakeddown uh of the American taxpayer are you also more cross-examination from Democratic Senator Ggo of Arizona right here and says where does that $10 billion come from? Where where is Donald Trump getting paid out of? Oh, it's coming out of the general fund of the Treasury that's paid for by the taxpayers. Is that what you're saying? Here, play this clip.

You know, we kind of touched on this earlier. In addition to being treasury secretary, you are serving as acting director of the IRS. So, following up on Senator Kim's uh questioning uh so you are fully aware that the president is suing uh your agency for $10 billion.

We would agree. Would you agree that $10 billion is a good sum of money? Uh yes, sir. Where would that be cut from? Let's say for some reason he actually wins that lawsuit. Where would that $10 billion come from?

Uh again, um it would come from process wise. I'm not asking like your opinion whether it's right or wrong.

It would come from Treasury. It come from Treasury, which comes from the general fund.

The Treasury general account. So taxpayers. Uh yes. Thank you. Part of the 440,000 taxpayers whose returns were leaked. If the now if the president they're not suing but of the president

I found it notable also that Besson said well you know 44,000 other uh taxpayers had their information leaked. It's actually closer to a million people whose taxes were leaked back in 2021. And again they're not suing. But just assume 44,000 taxpayers sued each for10 billion in a frivolous lawsuit like Donald Trump has filed. That would be over $400 trillion that would be paid out. And then there would be no more United States government anymore. Great work Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Besson. And by the way, while Bessant was testifying, we got that horrible economic news, terrible jobs reports. And this is this is what Bessant is doing. More cross-examination from Democratic Senator Gos asking Bessant, so can the president fire you?

And really exposing the conflicts of interest here. Let's play this clip. Are you also aware uh that President Trump has filed claims seeking $230 million from the Justice Department for investigations conducted during his pre previous candidacy?

Uh I I'm unaware of the cumulative number. Okay. So if the president wins or settles these claims, that money will come also from the Treasury Judgment Fund, which you do control. Have you recused yourself from any decisions about paying the president on these claims?

Again, I'll follow the law and I'm not involved with any of this. It stems from justice. So you even though the treasury judgment fund is called the treasury judgment fund, you have no control over the treasury judgement fund.

We act as pay master. So you will sign it then. Sorry. You will sign the check then. If you're a pay master, you would you'd be the person's signature is to the treasury judgment fund.

Uh I would assume it would be a wire transfer. I would Yes. I'm assume. We're not that old school. Um

but that being said, so you have no say in this whatsoever. you will only basically follow what the DOJ says, but you're the person that actually is the final person that pushes send essentially on the wire transfer.

Uh yes. And even if you feel or that it is unjust the fact that this president is basically plundering US taxpayer dollars, you will still hit that send button.

Even even if I believe that 6103, the IRS tax code was violated and 440,000 taxpayers were leaked. John,

back to this other thing. So now, do you do believe though? I mean, do you understand why some of us see a problem with that? And let me ask the simple, it's just a very simple question. Do you work for the president of the United States?

Uh, I work for the American people. So, can the president fire you? He can. He can fire you. Correct.

Yes. So, isn't it a conflict of interest that you're going to be making these decisions and the president has full power over you?

I I think you're confused, Senator. I am not part of the decision. Well, you're certainly a person that sends send send on the wire transfer and I think that's why there's a lot of people there actually do not trust and do not trust the president looking out his best interest. I'm controlling the time here. I'm not obeying the law. You're plundering US taxpayer dollars. Plundering US taxpayer dollars

floundering. Thank you. Be back. Thank you. Senator McCormack is now recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Secret. You had Democratic Senator Andy Kim cross-examining Bessant. Let's play this clip.

When we see that Trump is now suing the Treasury and the IRS for $10 billion, he even says, "I am supposed to work out a settlement with myself." That's what Trump said. Do you think that that is a conflict of interest?

Uh that that is a justice department issue. No, it is suing your department. The Justice Department represents Treasury. I would suggest you contact Justice. Beth,

Senator Kramer, more from Senator Kim right here. Let's play it. Respond to that.

When you had the Russia talks, was Jared Kushner a part of the Russia talks? Uh, yes.

What is his official role in the US government right now? Uh, I I believe that he is a special envoy.

So, you believe that he has an official position and that is not a unpaid volunteer position.

Sorry. I I believe that it is not an official position that he he is designated the uh as an interlocator as we bring many people into the talk.

I just raised this because this is the problem that we're seeing right now when it comes to these conflicts of interest. You know, we see the Trump family getting involved in different roles even though they don't have official positions. We see Pakistan now announcing that they're going to use Trump's families, companies, crypto for crossber transactions and trade. Does that not concern you? Uh again u I I'd be especially interested to hear if you have any information of why uh Mr. Kushner is conflicted in the Russia talks.

Look what I was saying is that if he wants to be if he wants to participate in that he should go by the same financial disclosures and and getting rid of conflicts of interest that every other senior government official including yourself have to go through. And look, I'm just saying that when we're seeing Trump pardoning Binance founder Zhao, when seeing instead investigating Jerome Powell, when we

And then Senator Kim asked about the pardon of Binance founder CZ or Zho, who plead guilty to very serious money laundering charges. Let's uh play this clip right here.

Would you agree that money laundering is a national security threat to this country?

Yes, sir. Now, with Binance founder Zhao pleaded guilty to violating anti-moneylaundering laws and was sent to prison. Uh, Binance then injected billions of dollars into Trump's family business, World Liberty Financial, and Zho asked for a pardon and received that. I just wanted to ask you, is that a conflict of interest in your opinion?

Uh, I I am unfamiliar with any of that. I wear many hats. The pardon hat is not one of them.

I'm just asking, do you see it as a conflict of interest, though? Uh, again, they uh I I'm not going to respond to that.

More from uh Democrats here. Democratic Senator Waro cross-examining Besset. Let's play it.

At a rally in my home state of Georgia, Donald Trump said, quote, "We're going to have a manufacturing boom." Secretary Bessant, we're now more than one year into the Trump administration. Yes or no? Has there been a manufacturing boom in the United States? Uh there there are the beginnings of a manufacturing boom. We have intentions factory groundbreings, sir.

So you so your answer to that is yes, there's been a manufacturing boom that we we are at the beginning of a manufacturing boom.

Okay. You you and you you and I could agree to to disagree. Uh but more importantly, manufacturers are telling us something different. Manufacturers are struggling because of the president's policies and that's why they keep telling us and the facts keep telling us. In fact, just this past Monday, the Wall Street Journal published this article entitled, "US manufacturing is in retreat and Trump's tariffs aren't helping." I request consent to enter this article into the hearing record. Mr. Chairman, without objection, Secretary Besson, do you know how many manufacturing jobs the United States has lost since Liberation Day in April 2025 when the president first announced his tariffs? Uh yes, Senator, because you were out of the room, but they it was already brought up.

We do many things, right? I don't need you to tell me where I was. 72,000. And I will point out that the Wall Street Journal's 72,000

is not called the Main Street Journal, and they care they care more about Sir, I'm not asking you to appine on the Wall Street Journal. I have three minutes. Just answer the questions that I'm actually asking you. So 72,000 manufacturing jobs according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Uh, thank you for answering the question. Manufacturer, shed workers, shed workers in each of the eight months after President Trump unveiled his tariffs on what he called liberation day. I would submit that it's a strange liberation and a curious freedom that leaves you unemployed.

Here's what Waro had to say as well. you. So, 72,000 manufacturing jobs according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Uh, thank you for answering the question. Manufacturer shed workers. Shed workers in each of the eight months after President Trump unveiled his tariffs on what he called liberation day. I would submit that it's a strange liberation and a curious freedom that leaves you unemployed. Even worse, smaller businesses are struggling to keep up with the tariff chaos. Big manufacturers may have the resources to shift suppliers. And I I need you to understand the spirit of my questions. I I spent a lot of time talking to the people in Georgia who've given me the great honor of representing them in the United States Senate. And so this this is this is about them and um especially our small businesses. They they don't have the ear of the president. They they don't have access to Mara Lago and so

they're they're not able to insulate their company from the worst of the tariff. Secretary Besson.

Now I'll show you what Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren had to say. Let's play this clip.

Bessent, you are one of the president's top economic adviserss. Let's just start with a little truthtelling about the Trump economy. One year in, affordability is the top concern for Americans across the country. Donald Trump has called affordability, I want to get this right, a hoax. He's called it a scam. He's called it a conj job. You're the Secretary of Treasury. You know the numbers. Is affordability a hoax, a scam, or a conj job?

Uh, Senator, it may be a bit nuance for you, but what President Trump is referring to is the media saying that the affordability crisis was generated by this administration when it was you and President Biden who destroyed the the buying power of the American people. So, there is an affordability crisis and you were front and center in it. So let me make sure that I understand Donald Trump is not saying that affordability what's happening to families right now is a hoax.

Uh he he is saying that trying to lay the blame at this administration rather than the Biden war economy is a hoax.

Okay. So it all happened before he got it and everything that's happened since then nothing is a hoax here.

Thought that was a powerful moment. Then uh Democratic Senator Cortez Masto from Nevada. Here's what she had to say about Trump and the regime destroying tourism, not just in Vegas, but uh across the country at this point as Canada and all these other countries have launched boycotts. Let's play it. is the data from the commerce department, this administration's commerce department on national travel and tourism office year-over-year declines in travelers from October 24th to the 25th. It's not just from Canada, it's from Germany, it's from the Netherlands, it's from Australia, it's New Zealand, it's India, it's Vietnam, it's Philippines. uh we are seeing under this administration a US travel association travel forecast that is dealing with now nearly a 70 billion travel trade deficit for 2025.

So, how do you intend to address the tourism travel issue that we are losing money in this country because of the policies of this administration?

Is o overall the occupancy in Las Vegas down or or more Americans going? I'm talking about internationally. It's not just me. It's Florida. It's other it's other states that are dealing with a decline in in in tourism. And this is my conversation with you for the last year that seems to be this administration keeps ignoring. It is a billion trillion dollar industry to this country and you don't seem to think it is important. Let me talk about something else though.

Back to Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren. You ran the search for Donald Trump's Fed chair nominee and Trump promised, quote, "Anyone that disagrees with me will never be Fed chairman." Kevin Worsh got the nod last Friday and then over the weekend, Donald Trump joked that he would sue Mr. Worsh if he failed to lower interest rates. At least I think it was a joke. But just in case, this should be an easy one. Mr. Secretary, can you comment right here and now that Trump's Fed nominee, Kevin Walsh, will not be sued, will not be investigated by the Department of Justice if he doesn't cut interest rates exactly the way that Donald Trump wants?

Uh, I I that that is up to the president. Uh, can you commit that you will can you commit that you will not hold you won't be sued if it doesn't drop interest rates and you won't be criminally investigating the

the president also made a joke about you that I won't repeat. Senator Warren was the

Oh, actually I will. He said he had reservations. If this was a joke, why not just say so?

It it was a joke. And he made a joke about you too, Senator Warren. Got got a lot of laughs. Got a lot of laughs. So I I don't know if you want to respond to that.

I do want to tell you is Mr. is highly qualified. The ones who are struggling why don't you tell the nation what you told me that you held up Chair Pal's nomination.

We're going to move on to the next one. Senator Realms, the floor is yours. Another great uh questioning round of questioning from Senator Warren here. Let's play it.

21.5% cumulative inflation. Let me just ask about what's happened in the one year that Donald Trump has been president. Last week, President Trump said, quote, "We have the groceries going down." Did grocery prices drop in 2025?

Numer numerous prices have. Did grocery prices drop in 2025? Numerous grocery prices have gone down.

I'm sorry. I I don't know if you can't hear me. Did grocery prices drop in 2025?

Numerous grocery prices have gone down and and in fact in fact we have seen inflation at 2.1% for the past.

Have you seen the Bureau of Labor Statistics that is Donald Trump's own Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers that report that grocery prices were 2.4% 4% higher at the end of 2025 than they were at the end of 2024. Trump's own Department of Agriculture has projected that those prices would climb higher in 2026 and under Donald Trump, families are paying more and more for groceries. So, if you're just going to insult people by denying the facts that are out there and tell people they're doing great when they're struggling, I think that's just another way to say you don't have a plan to bring down these prices. You're not willing to admit the failures of the Trump administration. Senator,

I will ask. By the way, even MAGA Republican Senator Kennedy was getting in on the action and gave Bessant this hypothetical. So what if Canada said zero tariffs on everything? Would the United States match him? Would we just all agree zero tariffs? And watch just the arrogance of Bessed right here. Absolutely not. Here, play this clip.

The the the foremost reason for tariffs is to try to stop other countries from taking advantage of us through either tar their tariffs or trade barriers. If Canada, for example, came to the United States and said, um, we're going to zero tariffs in the United States. All of them are off on our end. Uh, would would you, Mr. President, speaking to our president, go to zero tariffs and then just let Canadian companies and American companies uh compete on a level playing field? Uh, absolutely not. As we saw last week when Prime Minister two weeks ago when Prime Minister Carney went to China, he lowered tariffs on Chinese EVs from 100% to 6%. US has 100% tariff on Chinese EVs. We couldn't let that we couldn't let our northern border be used as a way for Chinese EVs to come into the US.

Right. Okay. Then you had Democratic Senator from Maryland Van Galand cross-examining Bessant. Let's play it. And I've got a whole bunch of quotes here from candidate Donald Trump on the campaign trail. Starting the day I take office, I will rapidly drive down prices and we will make America affordable again. It's interesting he used that phrase since he's been making fun of the affordability phrase recently. But I listened to your exchange with Senator Warren and the facts show very clearly that inflation has not been eliminated, has it?

Well, right. It is undesirable to completely eliminate inflation. What is desirable is to get back to the Fed's 2% target. And for the past 3 months, we've been at 2.1%. Senator.

Yeah. No. The 21.5% under the Biden administration. Now, look, look, Mr. I know how you're you're playing games. You're you're doing the aggregate over the Biden administration the last few months

and and you are no the number 2.7 is your own number for last year the year of the Trump administration. So let me ask you

and and you're being a deconstructionist and saying day one and great well I'm just reading the the president's own statements.

I'm glad you all have the same chairman. I ask unanimous consent that these statements be placed in the record

without objection. All right. Look, Mr. Secretary, more from Democratic Senator Van Holland. Play it.

Mr. Secretary, I think you would agree that the credibility of the Secretary of the Treasury is important. And I want to give you a chance to retract a statement that you made on national TV. Alex Prey was shot 10 times

and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. The administration, some administration called him a quote domestic terrorist. You suggested that Alex Prey was culpable in his own killing because he had a gun in his waistband holster which he was licensed to carry. When asked, you said, quote, I'm sorry this gentleman is dead, but and you went on to say he had a weapon, suggesting that he was culpable in his own killing. So, Mr. Secretary, today would you like to retract that statement? Uh, I would not. And would you like to uh express remorse for over the death of Ashley Babbot here in the capital?

Oh, I have expressed remorse over that. So, I've done that. Mr. Secretary, Mr. Secretary, please don't check. So, so you think I I just I have other questions, but I actually would have expected you to take this opportunity to to to rephrase your response to that question. So, you think the fact that he legally had a gun justified his killing?

I didn't say that at all. You said, do you think he was culpable partly to blame in his own killing because he had a gun?

Uh, I they did not say that. I'm asking you a question now. Do you believe he was in any way culpable for his own killing because he legally carried a gun?

Again, this is an atsock hearing. Yeah. So, you're the secretary of the treasury. Why don't we talk about financial stability and oversight?

I'm I'm happy to, Mr. Secretary, but your credibility is important and in that response, you really, I think, you know, let down the country. Um, because we expect honesty after that kind of terrible tragedy. Let me ask you, and then Bessant was still, as Aaron Rer says, Bessant is still doing his soybean farmer gimmick. Let's play it.

It's market-based. And the as someone who until the end of last year was involved in the a sector I can tell you it was a record harvest. So it it is a problem of abundance but co costs are up. We are working to bring the cost

input costs are up I believe Mr. secretary in large part because tariffs are driving those costs up and this is causing massive uncertainty and chaos in the farm sector which is really hurting many many farmers in my state and around the country.

There you have it folks. Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million subscribers and thanks for watching.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Bessent gets CORNERED by SENATE under BRUTAL CROSS-EXAM"?

Scott Bessant (Guest), Senator Ggo, Senator Andy Kim, Senator Waro, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Cortez Masto, Senator Van Holland.

What is "Bessent gets CORNERED by SENATE under BRUTAL CROSS-EXAM" about?

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent faces intense scrutiny during his Senate testimony, where he is challenged by Democratic Senator Ggo regarding his handling of a controversial lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against the IRS. Bessent is questioned about his awareness of potential conflicts and the involvement of the Justice Department, as Democrats aim to expose allegations of lawlessness and…

What is mentioned in this MeidasTouch episode?

12 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Donald Trump, Scott Besson, Treasury Department, IRS, United States Senate, Senator Elizabeth Warren. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Bessent gets CORNERED by SENATE under BRUTAL CROSS-EXAM"?

The episode runs 25 min; the transcript is about 4,314 words in 93 timestamped sections.

More from MeidasTouch

About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated February 5, 2026.