Bessent defends Trump party sparks backlash | JQJO

Scott Bessent drew backlash after defending President Trump’s Great Gatsby themed government shutdown party on CNN’s State of the Union. Asked by Jake Tapper about optics as SNAP benefits are set to run out and many Americans go without pay, the treasury secretary replied that Democrats should reopen the government and shifted to claim Obama played a record amount of golf. Tapper had aired Obama’s jab at the lavish event, including a $300 million ballroom. Online, viewers criticized Bessent’s deflection, with one citing a tally of presidential golf days.