Scott Bessent’s ‘gotcha’ moment on Trump’s tariffs and inflation: He denies writing ‘tariffs are inflationary’ in letter to hedge fund investors

A House Financial Services Committee hearing descended into chaos and personal invective on Tuesday as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clashed with ranking member Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) over the economic impact of President Trump’s tariff policies. The heated exchange, ostensibly about inflation and housing costs, culminated in a tense standoff where Waters repeatedly silenced the secretary, telling him, “You don’t get to talk,” and questioning his dignity as he attempted to interrupt her line of questioning.