Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) did a live fact-check of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a Senate Finance Committee hearing where he attempted to pitch President Donald Trump's 2026 budget.
“I want to ask about the Republican big beautiful bill,” Warren said, "which will knock off about 16 million people from their healthcare coverage and cut programs that keep groceries cheaper for millions of families in order to try to pay for about $4 trillion in tax giveaways. That are mostly going to be sucked up by millionaires, billionaires and wealthy corporations.”
“I'd like to start with a very simple question: Will this bill increase or decrease the deficit?” Warren asked.
“There is varying scoring on that, senator,” Bessent said.
“You're the secretary of the treasury,” Warren replied. “So I’m asking you, what is your view: Will this increase or decrease the deficit?”
“It is my view that over the 10-year window it will decrease,” Bessent said.
“Do you have anybody who agrees with you on this?" Warren pressed.
“Yes, ma’am,” Bessent said, cutting Warren off.
“Let me ask my question,” she said. “Every credible independent expert agrees that Trump and the Republican ‘big, beautiful bill’ would add trillions of dollars to the national debt and would not even come close to paying for itself.”
Warren went on to list the analysts, organizations and Elon Musk, who all say the bill will increase the debt, before asking, “Do you have an independent group that has put forward numbers that disagree with all of these groups?
“Well, senator,” Bessant said, “it's interesting to see you aligned with Elon Musk.”
“You’re no more shocked than I am,” Warren said, which made both Warren and Bessent chuckle.
Bessent went on to say he doesn't agree with the methodology of those organizations. He claimed that, with Trump’s tariffs, “there will be a $400 billion surplus.”
Watch the full interaction here or below:
- YouTube www.youtube.com
