‘That’s depressing’: MSNBC hosts stunned as Trump official ‘evades’ a simple question

On Wednesday morning, MSNBC anchor Mika Brzezinski found herself dumbfounded when she heard a clip of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent evading responses regarding who bears the burden of tariffs.

“Please answer the questions I posed. I only have five minutes. Who bears the cost of tariffs?” asked Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI).

“Apologies,” Bessant responded as an effort to reply.

Looking for additional up-to-date political news?
Tap here for the most recent news from Raw Story.

“Who bears the cost of these tariffs, Mr. Secretary?” Pocan reiterated, pushing the Treasury Secretary for an answer.

Bessant tried to stutter out another question.

The question is straightforward: who bears the cost of tariffs?“ Pocan emphasized. “Chairman, I would like him to address this query. He seems eager to respond to a different one instead.”

Well, Congressman, if the,” Bessant cleared his throat. “If the exporters have such strong objections to tariffs, why wouldn’t they oppose them? It seems like you want me to elaborate on this point.

ALSO READ:

Pain. Sorrow. Rage”: Families devastated as Trump controversy shatters their hopes for adoption

Do you recall the question,” Pocan inquired. “I doubt you did. Who bears the cost of tariffs?

“That this is a rather complex issue,” Bessant responded.

“Taking back my time. Just like people pay duties, let me ask once again: who bears these tariffs?” Pocan insisted persistently.

“Sir, the records indicate that it involves a complex interplay regarding who pays the duties at different points,” Bessant responded.

Pocan interjected, “That’s precisely the issue. If you respond—you are indeed an accomplished individual with quite an impressive biography—but since you can’t address the question of who bears the cost of tariffs, you claim it’s complex. The truth is, though, it isn’t complicated; consumers end up paying Trump’s tariff taxes.”

The extended conversation between Pocan and Bessant took place on Tuesday.

“That is that’s depressing,” Brzezinski said. “I mean, Scott Bessent… Yeah.”

She then brought in the panel, which included the Chair of the Democratic National Committee, Ken Martin, who said, “We know who pays tariffs and hard-working Americans. Who, you know, put their faith in Donald Trump last year, hoping that he was going to actually make their lives more affordable. He’s done just the opposite.”

Martin added, “These tariffs are going to result in a huge tax on hardworking American people. And you know, the fact that Secretary Bessant couldn’t answer that question honestly just shows you what they’re doing to deceive the American people.”

Watch below or click the link.

– YouTube
youtu.be