Full Breakdown
Scott Bessent’s Temper Fuels Turmoil at Treasury
By Drooid · · How we work
Restaurant Confrontation Highlights Volatile Conduct
In December 2025, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was dining at the Brazilian-Italian restaurant Reveler’s Hour in Washington, D.C. when activists from Code Pink approached his table. Bessent called the protesters “ignorant,” then erupted at the restaurant owner for not removing them. According to the owner and a nearby diner, Bessent spat in his own food and left the venue. The incident was detailed in a Wall Street Journal investigation that linked the episode to a broader pattern of confrontations during Bessent’s roughly 20-month tenure.
Background & Context of Bessent’s Tenure
Bessent, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, has cultivated a “tough-guy” image that Trump publicly praised. At an April event in Nevada, Trump joked, “I created a monster,” referring to Bessent’s aggressive style. The secretary’s approach has been framed as a means to project strength while overseeing sanctions, tax reforms, and U.S.–China economic policy. However, multiple former Treasury officials describe an environment where staff exchange tips on handling his mood and feel relief when he is away from the office.
Data & Statistics on Turnover
- Dozens of non-Senate-confirmed officials have left or been dismissed under Bessent.
- Seven Senate-confirmed officials departed; only one has been replaced.
- Staff reportedly avoid approaching Bessent when he appears “in a foul mood,” swapping advice on how to navigate his temper.
Official Statements & Responses
- President Donald Trump has reiterated his support, noting that Bessent is “adept at calming the markets” and encouraging him to help lower interest rates.
On-the-Ground Reports
The restaurant owner and a patron who witnessed the episode confirmed that Bessent spat in his food before storming out. Both sources told the Wall Street Journal that the secretary’s anger shifted from the activists to the establishment itself, prompting the dramatic exit.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Bessent has denied at least one widely reported incident: the claim that he threw a binder full of briefing papers at a wall after becoming angry over its organization. While several officials recounted the binder episode, Bessent told the Wall Street Journal that the account was inaccurate. The investigation also notes that Bessent disputed other alleged confrontations, leaving some details unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A lot of people in the investment community had hoped he was the adult in the room,” — Stephen Myrow, a former Treasury official and managing partner at Beacon Policy Advisors
These elements together illustrate how a series of high-profile outbursts—culminating in the December restaurant spat—have shaped perceptions of Scott Bessent’s leadership and contributed to notable turnover within the Treasury Department.