Scott Bessent inadvertently pulls back the mask on GOP priority: 'This isn't wasteful'

President Donald Trump's top economic official casually told MAGA strategist Steve Bannon on Tuesday that he's not concerned about the deficit or debt.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was talking to the former White House strategist during an episode of "War Room" on the conservative network Real America's Voice when they discussed the multi-trillion-dollar debt and deficits facing the Trump administration. Bessent tried to argue that the Trump administration hasn't received enough credit for its efforts, and blamed the Biden administration for not investing enough in the military.

"I'm not that bothered — or I'm not as bothered by it — because one of the reasons we're not making progress on the deficit is the full expensing for equipment, factories and [agriculture] structures that is creating more productive capacity, so I call it — you're pulling back the rubber band and creating this productive capacity that's going to give us more sustainable tax revenues in the future."

Bessent argued that the move would create more jobs and boost the economy for 2027 and 2028, taking a swipe at social programs and Stacey Abrams, lawyer and former Georgia state representative.

"This isn't wasteful social spending; this isn't giving Stacey Abrams $2 million when she's never had more than $300 in her bank account," Bessent said.