“Trump Derangement Syndrome Has Turned Into Tariff Derangement Syndrome,” Says Treasury Secretary Amid Price Hike Concerns

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended President Donald Trump’s tariff policies during a Sunday appearance on Fox News, while also acknowledging that the tariffs have led to “price increases.”

In a pointed exchange with host Shannon Bream, Bessent pushed back against economic concerns raised by major financial institutions and polling data.

Bream opened the segment by referencing a new JPMorgan Chase Institute analysis, which estimates that a “critical group of U.S. employers would face a direct cost of $82.3 billion from President Donald Trump’s current tariff plans.” She added, “Our most recent poll shows that 57% of Americans do think the tariffs are gonna hurt the U.S. economy. What’s your message to them?”

Bessent dismissed the concerns as overblown and politically motivated. “Well, I think there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” he said. “I think TDS, Trump Derangement Syndrome, has turned into Tariff Derangement Syndrome. As soon as you call them the Trump tariffs, 90% of Democrats hate them.”

The secretary went on to distinguish between temporary price hikes and long-term inflation. “There’s a big difference in inflation and one-time price adjustment also,” he explained. “And thus far, we haven’t even seen the one-time price adjustment.”

While he admitted that the tariffs have led to some price changes, Bessent argued that the impact is not being directly passed on to American consumers. “What we are seeing [is that] the business model for many of our trading partners, especially in Southeast Asia, is to produce, produce, produce and the manufacturers in those countries are taking the price increases into or the tariffs into their margins,” he said.

His remarks come as Trump pushes for a more aggressive trade agenda if elected to a second term, including a potential 10% across-the-board tariff on all imports, which economists warn could raise consumer prices and disrupt supply chains.

Despite concerns from economists and business groups, Bessent maintained that the strategy is about protecting U.S. industry and pressuring foreign competitors not harming American households.

Still, with inflation and the cost of living remaining key issues for voters, Bessent’s remarks are likely to fuel further debate over whether Trump’s tariffs are a smart trade tactic or an economic risk.

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