Unbiasable

On the record · Updated October 1, 2026

Scott Bessent quotes

US Treasury Secretary

100 things Scott Bessent said, verbatim, from March 26, 2026 to September 29, 2026, each linked to where it ran. Grouped by the questions at issue, with who supported, disputed, or qualified each one.

Also appeared as: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

67stories
100statements
Sep 29latest entry
02

The United States must prioritize beating China in AI development even if that means less caution now.

Others on this question

Jacob Coxon former pretraining researcher at OpenAI and Anthropic Offers another course
“I do hope that the people in China who are looking at the same problems as we are, so they're trying to build the same technology, will come to the same conclusion that it has to be done in a measured manner, and it should be easy to cooperate on some sort of mutual — of mutual slowing,”
Donald Trump President of the United States Supports
“We're leading China in AI, we're the most sophisticated country in the world, and frankly, I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI, wins”
03

US sanctions and the naval blockade are close to collapsing Iran's government and economy.

Others on this question

Mahdi Pirsalehi Head of Iran's Food and Drug Administration Disputes
“The enemy has identified medicine as one of the sensitive areas of the country, and is trying to denigrate and portray Iran’s conditions as unfavourable by releasing content in the press and social media,”
05

US economic sanctions under Operation Economic Outcast will succeed in forcing Iran into economic collapse or capitulation.

Others on this question

Sina Toossi senior non-resident fellow, Center for International Policy Disputes

his latest attempt to force Iran into submission could leave the US with even higher energy prices, an even more confrontational adversary and yet another escalation it never counted on.

06

The new US sanctions package will cripple Iran's economy and force Tehran to change course.

Others on this question

Dina Esfandiary Middle East geoeconomics lead, Bloomberg Economics Disputes
“None of the measures that President Trump is contemplating are going to make Iran capitulate.”
07

Trump's new sanctions campaign will force Iran to change course or collapse its regime.

Others on this question

Ali Vaez Iran project director, International Crisis Group Disputes
“for a regime that is fighting for its life and has never hesitated to transfer economic pain to its population, there is no breaking point”
James Jeffrey former US ambassador in the Middle East Disputes
“it’s hard to believe [there will be] something decisive after 20 years of U.S. sanctions and Iranian experience of going around them.”
Trita Parsi vice president, Responsible Statecraft Disputes

Between surrender or escalation, Iran will almost certainly choose escalation.

09

New US sanctions and a naval blockade will succeed in collapsing Iran's regime.

Others on this question

Lin Jian Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Disputes
“Sanctions and pressure will not help resolve the issue,”

Scott Bessent on The Middle East34

Scott Bessent on China & the Pacific1

Scott Bessent on Foreign policy & the world1

As printed

“This is the oil of the people of Venezuela,”

Reason ›

Scott Bessent on National security & surveillance3

As printed

“Lindsey Graham believed that the first obligation of the federal government is to keep its people safe,”

Daily Wire ›

As printed

“We have spent decades developing the world's most sophisticated financial counterterrorism capabilities, and now we are mobilizing some of the same tools that we have deployed against terrorists abroad to confront this emerging threat here at home,”

on using financial counterterrorism tools against domestic political violence

NPR Rubio convenes countries on left-wing political violence ›

Scott Bessent on Economy, jobs & inflation20

As printed

“I can say here definitively, the K-shaped economy is over.”

on claim that unequal K-shaped economic growth has ended

PBS ›

As printed

“Those outcomes are unsettling, but we refuse to accept them as inevitable,”

PBS ›

As printed

“The ‘extraordinary’ monetary policy tools unleashed after the 2008 financial crisis have similarly transformed the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy regime, with unpredictable consequences.”

Daily Wire ›

As printed

“Over the past 10 years, I have written more than 20,000 words opining on the Federal Reserve decisions, personnel, structure, and modifications. Nowhere have I ever mentioned this ridiculous notion,”

on denying he proposed restructuring the Federal Reserve

Daily Wire ›

As printed

“admirable how the Bank of England conducts large-scale asset purchases during financial crises and other times of systemic stress, and how they stop their interventions after smooth market functioning has been restored.”

on praising the Bank of England's approach to crisis asset purchases

Breitbart ›

As printed

“The Governor’s letters to the Chancellor have proven to be a useless and perfunctory device. There is much to be said about the storied Bank of England, but any recreation of its operating framework on this side of the Atlantic has never been contemplated.”

on Bessent dismissing comparisons between the Fed and the Bank of England

The Daily Wire - Breaking News, Videos & Podcasts ‘Tabloid Trash’: Scott Bessent Issues Scathing Response To Media Story On Plans For The Fed ›

Scott Bessent on Immigration & the border5

As printed

“We do not ask bankers to assume the burdens of border enforcement,”

CBS News ›

As printed

“Texas remains on the front lines of the challenges created by years of unchecked illegal immigration under the Biden Administration,”

Breitbart ›

As printed

“will not allow illegal aliens to abuse financial institutions to steal billions of dollars from hardworking American taxpayers.”

PBS ›

Scott Bessent on Education & schools3

Scott Bessent on Guns, crime & policing1

As printed

“Criminal organizations and cartels continue to seek opportunities to exploit our financial system and harm law-abiding businesses and workers.”

Breitbart ›

Scott Bessent on Tech & AI7

As printed

“If you think about it in terms of the valuation, what did they try to do last week? It was, well, there's a chance that, 10 percent chance we could destroy the world, but we want the government to give us a liability shield. And, you know, that's good business for them, bad business for the American people.”

on OpenAI and Anthropic using extinction risk to push for a liability shield

The Blaze Bessent blames Sam Altman for OpenAI's rogue tech — as Bernie invokes 'corporate death penalty' ›

Scott Bessent on Campaigns & elections1

Scott Bessent on Corruption & scandal5

As printed

“Senator Wyden has mendaciously slandered the Treasury building in an attempt to cover up his son having an investment meeting with Jeffrey Epstein to ask for funding,”

The Federalist ›

Scott Bessent on The presidency & national symbols3

Scott Bessent on Extremism & political violence2

Scott Bessent on Free speech & the media1

As printed

“In short, FT has literally manufactured an entirely fake policy position for me and the Administration,”

Daily Wire ›

Scott Bessent on Veterans1

Scott Bessent on Other topics1

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