You're an idiot': Trump enjoyed 'sport' of watching Bessent tear into Lutnick right in front of him, book reveals

A new book claims that President Trump “enjoyed the sport” of watching a clash between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick unfold in front of him. The account, in Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump, describes a meeting involving a proposed minerals deal with Ukraine that was later announced in May. The book’s excerpts, attributed to Trump’s remarks and to authors Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan of The New York Times, say Trump mocked Lutnick and that the officials exchanged harsh statements. It alleges Lutnick told Trump Bessent had “screwed up” the minerals arrangement, while Bessent reportedly responded by calling it “a s****y deal” and “You’re an idiot.” A White House spokesperson, Olivia Wales, disputed the focus on the book’s narrative and emphasized priorities such as safety and costs.