Rep Waters asks 'Can you shut him up?' during Treasury Bessent testimony
Bessent responded to Waters' questions about tariffs during his committee testimony.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYFox News is an established national outlet with identified authorship and editorial infrastructure, though its political coverage can reflect a pronounced partisan perspective. This assessment concerns the publisher, not the accuracy of any particular claim in this short report.
- Source type — An established national news outlet with a substantial reporting operation.
- Editorial standards — The outlet has an established editorial operation, but its political coverage is often viewed as partisan.
- Author attribution — The article identifies an author.
- Transparency — The page identifies its publisher and author, but this article provides little sourcing beyond the hearing exchange.
The report includes direct quotations and describes the exchange and the tariff context, but offers limited independent sourcing or competing economic analysis. The claim about a Wharton study is attributed to Bessent rather than examined in detail.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The account quotes both Waters and Bessent and describes Hill's role, but it does not develop either side's economic case or offer outside analysis of the tariff effects.
- Counterarguments presented — Bessent's responses appear alongside Waters' criticism, but the underlying arguments are not explored in depth.
- Source diversity — The report centers on statements made during the hearing and does not include independent sources.
- Loaded language — Terms such as 'irate' and 'fiery' heighten the focus on conflict.
The report uses charged descriptions of Waters and emphasizes the confrontational moment, while giving less attention to the substance of the competing economic claims. It also includes a brief explanatory account of tariff costs and the pending court ruling.
- Language tone — Describes Waters as 'irate' and the exchange as 'fiery,' giving the account a critical tone toward her conduct.
- Framing — Centers the confrontation rather than examining the competing claims about tariffs.
- Source selection — Relies primarily on the hearing participants' exchange, with no independent economic expert cited.
Rep. Maxine Waters challenged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over the effects of President Trump's tariffs during a House hearing, leading to a heated exchange over speaking time and the administration's economic agenda. The article also notes a pending Supreme Court ruling on some of the tariffs.
During testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, Waters questioned Bessent about whether he would urge Trump to stop tariffs she said were harming consumers, housing affordability and the economy. Bessent began responding with a reference to a Wharton study, and the two exchanged remarks as committee chair French Hill ruled that Waters' time had expired.
Community verdict
3 VOTESCounts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 10
- Readers of left-leaning coverage: not enough votes yet
- Readers of right-leaning coverage: 100% good look
Votes cast on this page
Votes cast on this page: ▲ 0 · ◆ 0 · ▼ 0
People in this story
SWIPE →Treasury secretary testifying about the administration's economic agenda
House Financial Services Committee ranking member questioning the Treasury secretary about tariffs
Waters's version of this story ↗President whose economic agenda and tariffs were discussed
House Financial Services Committee chairman who ruled on Waters' speaking time
Part of a bigger story
9 OUTLETSAt a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Scott Bessent and Rep. Maxine Waters clashed over whether tariffs contribute to inflation and housing costs. Center outlets examine tariff effects alongside Bessent’s conduct at the hearing. Right-leaning outlets generally portray Bessent as composed or forceful and Waters as disruptive, centering the confrontation more than the competing policy claims.
- ARTICLES
- 10
- OUTLETS
- 9
- AVG CRED
- 53
- HotAir · Scott Bessent Breaks Mad Maxine's Broom
- Daily Mail · 'Can you shut up?' Maxine Waters SNAPS at Scott Bessent at wild hearing... but the Treasury Secretary hits back with a delicious response
- twitchy.com · 'Flunky' Business: Maxine Waters and Fellow Ranting Dem Gregory Meeks Fail to 'Shut Up' Scott Bessent
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