Introduces Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and asks about new whistleblower initiative for fraud recovery.
Joe Kernan
Scott Bessent
Announces Treasury whistleblower program with rewards up to 10-30% of fines recovered, targeting fraud in government programs like Minneapolis daycare scams.
Asks about Kevin Warsh Fed confirmation hearing obstacles and DOJ investigation.
Joe Kernan
Scott Bessent
Confirms hearing will proceed despite Senator Tillis hold; criticizes Fed construction project overruns and $100B annual losses from bond purchases.
Asks about strong jobs report (30,000 jobs, 4.3% unemployment) and why public mood remains glum.
Joe Kernan
Scott Bessent
Highlights private sector job growth (170,000), reduction in government jobs, and construction jobs surge; says 2025 sets table, 2026 will be 'banquet' with factory completions.
Asks about deficit/GDP, CBO estimates, and growth outlook.
Joe Kernan
Scott Bessent
Criticizes CBO static scoring; says deficit/GDP fell from 6.97% (2024) to 5.4% (2025) due to constrained spending and growth; bond market tame because 'getting fiscal house in order'.
Asks about China trade strategy: fair rivalry or softening?
Joe Kernan
Scott Bessent
Says strategy is 'engage, fair trade, derisk' not decouple; bringing back factory jobs after China shock wiped out workers.
Asks about AI potential and President Trump's 15% growth comment.
Joe Kernan
Scott Bessent
Predicts productivity and investment boom from AI; says inflation coming down, could be near Fed's 2% target by mid-year.