Treasury Sec. Bessent: American People Are ‘Hostage’ To Schumer’s and Jeffries’ Poll Numbers
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has pushed back against the media narrative surrounding the current government shutdown, telling ABC News that the American people are hostage to the poll numbers of Democratic leaders.
Host Martha Raddatz asked Bessent on ABC’s “This Week” program whether President Trump should meet with Democrats as federal workers are beginning to suffer under the shutdown.
Bessent responded, reminding Raddatz that Democratic leadership is dug in, telling her, “The American people are hostage to Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries’ poll numbers! 52 Republican senators have voted 11 times to reopen the government.”
BREAKING: ABC just tried to ‘gotcha’ Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent and he didn’t take ANY of her BS!
ABC: You’re over there. But here, there is a government shutdown. People are SUFFERING. Should Trump meet with Democrats?!
BESSENT: Well, what GOOD does it do, Martha?! They’ve… pic.twitter.com/4UOz0Di6L8
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 26, 2025
Raddatz then asked Bessent whether he thinks the Republican Party bears any responsibility for the shutdown since it controls the White House and both chambers of Congress.
Bessent asked, “What can we do? What can we do for this desperate act?”
Bessent told ABC News that the Trump administration inherited a “mess” and pledging not to let the Democrats be irresponsible with the budget again.
The Treasury Secretary added, “We call on them to change their minds because I can tell you, the $1.5 TRILLION in spending that they’re calling for, that’s NOT on the table!”
Bessent was also interviewed on NBC News, where host Kristin Welker asked the Treasury Secretary when Trump would meet with Democrats to end the shutdown.
In response, Bessent asked NBC, “Why does President Trump have to meet with Democrats?” adding that, “Democrats just need to go into the Senate and vote to end the shutdown.”
Bessent also noted that 52 Republicans have voted 11 times to reopen the government while only 3 Democrats have.
The Government shutdown is currently in its 26th day with no deal in sight.
WELKER: When will Trump meet with Democrats to end this?!
BESSENT: I’m gonna have to reject the premise of your question! Why does President Trump have to meet… pic.twitter.com/s9GqncM421
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 26, 2025
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