★ Government Action
Senate confirms hedge fund founder Bessent as Treasury Secretary
Donations In, Favors OutFrom Donor to DiplomatTrump Cabinet
Filed January 2025
★ The Brief
What happened
On January 27, 2025, the Senate confirmed Bessent as Treasury Secretary by 68-29, one of the broader bipartisan margins among Trump's cabinet picks. He founded Key Square Group after serving as CIO for Soros Fund Management.
Who enabled it
Who benefits
Deal or steal?
Bessent had donated $1 million to Trump's 2017 inaugural and hosted 2024 fundraisers raising roughly $57 million for the Trump campaign before joining as Treasury Secretary.
★ Cast your vote
On January 27, 2025, the Senate confirmed Scott Bessent as Secretary of the Treasury by a 68-29 vote, one of the broader bipartisan margins among Trump's cabinet picks. Bessent founded Key Square Group, a Connecticut-based macro hedge fund, after serving as chief investment officer for George Soros's Soros Fund Management. He had donated $1 million to Trump's 2017 inaugural committee and personally hosted fundraisers in 2024 that raised approximately $7 million (Greenville, South Carolina) and $50 million (Palm Beach) for the Trump campaign. Trump announced the nomination on November 22, 2024.
Further reading
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- ★ Private ActionJuly 2026FIFA reverses a US player's World Cup ban after Trump's call
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- ★ Government ActionFebruary 2026Trump threatens to block Gordie Howe Bridge opening to punish Canada
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