In a pointed rebuke of media scrutiny on President Donald Trump's health, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused The New York Times of hypocrisy, highlighting what he described as a cover-up of former President Joe Biden's diminished capacity during his administration.
Speaking in a recent interview, Bessent directly challenged the outlet's coverage, asking, "Where was [the] New York Times?" He pointed to a stark contrast in presidential accessibility, noting that his administration held a three-hour cabinet meeting just yesterday, while the Biden administration reportedly went 10 months without convening one.
Bessent's comments came amid discussions invoking the 25th Amendment, which allows for the temporary transfer of power if a president is deemed incapacitated. He questioned the feasibility of such a move under Biden, stating, "How are you going to invoke the 25th Amendment if the cabinet secretaries never see the president?"
Emphasizing Trump's engagement, Bessent relayed observations from within the Treasury Department. "I hear from people in the treasury building that I see President Trump more [in] a day, then my predecessor saw Joe Biden [in] half a year," he said, underscoring the frequency of interactions compared to the previous administration.
The exchange, captured in a rush excerpt from the interview with host Andrew, reflects ongoing tensions over perceptions of presidential fitness. Bessent's remarks position the current administration as transparent and active, directly contrasting it with what he portrayed as the Biden era's isolation of the commander-in-chief from key advisors.
By drawing on firsthand accounts from Treasury staff and recent cabinet activities, Bessent's critique amplifies accusations of media double standards, particularly in light of past amplifications of concerns about Trump's health while downplaying similar issues with Biden.
