Wall Street gets rude shock as Bessent plays second fiddle on tariffs

From the moment President Donald Trump unveiled his sweeping tariffs Wednesday through the ensuing market mayhem the following day, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s phone lit up with text messages from executives tied to his former industry.

Multiple hedge fund managers and finance executives reached out, seeking his help in swaying Trump on the levies, according to people familiar with the matter. After all, as the former chief investment officer of Soros Fund Management, Bessent was a potential ally.