President Donald Trump has joked that he turned Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent into a “monster,” and a new report details the temper behind the punchline.
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The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Bessent’s outbursts helped drive an unusual wave of departures from the top ranks of the Treasury Department.
More than 30 current and former officials and associates spoke to The Journal, describing a secretary who tears into aides at every level.
In January, Bessent reportedly yelled and cursed at John Hurley, then his top terrorism and financial intelligence official, over what he saw as foot-dragging on a probe Trump requested.
Staff working nearby could reportedly hear him. Hurley soon left for an ambassadorship, and his duties went to a former employee of Bessent’s investment firm.
Last year, a disorganized daily briefing book allegedly set him off so badly that he hurled the binder into a wall. Bessent denied the account.
Aides reportedly check with colleagues on his mood before facing him and share tips for steering clear when he’s angry. Some breathe easier when he’s out of the office, according to The Journal.
Seven Senate-confirmed officials had exited by the end of August, according to the Partnership for Public Service. The four previous administrations each lost zero to two over a similar stretch.
Several would-be recruits reportedly passed on Treasury jobs after hearing how Bessent treats people.
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Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, who has known Bessent for nearly a decade, defended him while conceding the short fuse.
“He’s a good person, but he’s got a tripwire and he’s got a temper,” Bannon told The Journal.
He described Bessent’s message to staff in blunter terms. “If your feelings are hurt, I’m sorry, but get the f— out of here,” Bannon said.
The temper has reportedly flared beyond Treasury too.
Bessent had to be pulled apart from Elon Musk during a West Wing shouting match and allegedly physically threatened housing chief Bill Pulte at a dinner.
None of it has hurt him with Trump, who reportedly calls him almost daily.
At an April event in Nevada, the president called Bessent difficult and took credit for making him a “big star.”
“I created a monster,” Trump joked.
The White House defended the secretary’s leadership in a statement to The Journal.
“The level of professionalism and accountability Secretary Bessent has instilled department-wide is one of the great accomplishments of this administration,” spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said.
A Treasury spokesman said Bessent “has high expectations of the United States Treasury’s performance” but did not address his treatment of staff.
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