Scott Bessent denies reports of volatile conduct at Treasury

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has denied allegations regarding his conduct at the Treasury Department following an investigation by The Wall Street Journal. The report detailed claims of high staff turnover and volatile behavior, including an instance where Bessent allegedly threw a binder at a wall during an outburst over briefing materials.

Bessent dismissed the newspaper as a “shadow of its former self” during an appearance on Fox News, asserting that he is “tough but fair” and suggesting the report relied on disgruntled former employees. He specifically denied the allegation of throwing a binder.

Additional reports from the Journal describe an incident in Washington, D.C., last December where Bessent allegedly spat in his food after being confronted by Code Pink protesters at a restaurant. The investigation also noted that Bessent’s management style, characterized by yelling at aides, has reportedly contributed to the departure of several senior officials.