In a fiery exchange on a major news network, a key Trump administration official took aim at critics of the president’s signature legislation. With the economy at stake, this clash revealed the stark contrast between Washington’s elite narratives and the administration’s bold vision for American prosperity. The showdown has conservatives cheering and liberals scrambling.

Summary

• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defends One Big Beautiful Bill.
• Dismisses Yale Budget Lab’s claims as biased.
• Emphasizes tax cuts for working-class Americans.
• Medicaid reforms focus on work requirements, not cuts.
• Tariffs protect American jobs, boost economic growth.

Bessent’s Reality Check on CNN 

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent delivered a masterclass in dismantling media spin during a Sunday appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union.” 

CNN anchor Dana Bash, citing a Yale Budget Lab report, claimed Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill favors the wealthy. Dana’s claim did not go down well with Bessent, wo shot back with venom. 

“Well, Dana, first, let’s have a look at the Yale Budget Lab, because I was looking at their findings, and this week I actually went on their website. They’re all ex-Biden officials, so I think we can discount everything they say,” Bessent said. 

His sharp rebuke exposed the report’s partisan roots, resonating with conservatives wary of establishment bias.

Defending the Middle 

Class Bessent passionately defended the bill’s tax cuts, which make the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent, as a boon for working-class Americans. When Bash claimed the richest would see income rise by 2% while the poorest would lose 3%, Bessent countered with yet another schooling. 

“What we have here is a middle class and working class bill that we are going to see wages accelerate and we are going to see, just as we saw with President Trump’s first tax bill, we are making permanent these tax cuts and what happened in 2017, 2018 was the highest wage earners went from paying 37% of all taxes to 45%, so that’s gonna be permanent now.” Bessent added.

He emphasized that the top 10% will shoulder a higher tax burden, protecting Main Street.

Medicaid Reforms Not Cuts 

Addressing Bash’s claim of Medicaid “cuts,” Bessent clarified the bill’s focus on work requirements for able-bodied adults. 

“No, there are no change in benefits. There’s a change in requirements to get the benefits,” he said. “What we are doing is, we are bringing back manufacturing jobs. We are bringing back working class jobs. By securing the border, we have already seen working class wages move up. So we are creating jobs, people can get off Medicaid and get a job that has good healthcare benefits, Dana.” 

Tariffs and Economic Growth 

Bessent also defended Trump’s tariffs, arguing they protect American jobs and drive growth. 

“We’re focused on growing the economy faster than the debt,” he told Bash, dismissing deficit fears. 

House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the bill, telling Fox News, “This is a victory for American workers.” 

As conservatives rally behind the legislation, Bessent’s performance underscores Trump’s commitment to economic strength and accountability.