Bessent Throws the Book at Stephanopoulos—the ABC Host’s Own Book—in Debate Over Shutdown Hypocrisy

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent roasted George Stephanopoulos over the shutdown, citing the host’s own book when he joined ABC News’ “This Week” Sunday morning.

When Stephanopoulos asked Bessent if ending the filibuster is the best way to end the government shutdown, Bessent said “no.”

“No. You were involved in a lot of these [government shutdowns] in the ’90s, and you basically called the Republicans terrorists,” Bessent said. “And you said it is not the responsible party that keeps the government closed.”

Stephanopoulos countered Bessent, saying he “disagree[s] with the history there.”

“I got all your quotes here,” Bessent replied. “I read your book, so you got one purchase on Amazon this week. That’s very much what you said.”

Bessent said the solution to ending the government shutdown is for “five brave, moderate Democrat senators to cross the aisle.”

“Right now it is 52-3. Five Democrats can cross the aisle and reopen the government. That’s the best way to do it,” Bessent stated. 

Bessent also reflected on the decreasing poll numbers for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., saying that’s the factor that changed since the spring when Schumer passed a clean continuing resolution.

Additionally, Bessent said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., “gave the game away this week.”

“He [Murphy] said, ‘Now it’s to our advantage to keep the government closed.’ They have turned the American people into pawns,” Bessent declared.