US treasury chief urged Trump not to host ‘Mr Bean on crack’ Zelenskyy, book says
US Treasury Chief Urged Trump to Host Zelenskyy, Book Claims
US treasury chief urged Trump not - During the second Trump administration, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly advised President Donald Trump against hosting Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. A new book, *Regime Change*, by New York Times journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, reveals that Bessent used informal and critical language to describe Zelenskyy, including calling him “Mr Bean on crack.” These remarks, part of private conversations, have sparked debate about the U.S. Treasury Chief urged Trump's role in shaping diplomatic interactions with Ukraine and the tone of the administration's approach to international relations.
Controversial Remarks in Private Meetings
The book outlines Bessent’s frustrations with Zelenskyy, who visited Washington in February 2025. According to the narrative, Bessent’s criticisms of the Ukrainian leader were rooted in concerns about his diplomatic effectiveness. The phrase “Mr Bean on crack” was used to depict Zelenskyy’s perceived lack of gravitas, while other descriptors like “little fucker” and “special-needs child” added a personal dimension to the critique. These comments, though private, have intensified scrutiny of the U.S. Treasury Chief urged Trump’s influence on Trump’s foreign policy decisions.
Swan and Haberman highlight the meeting as a pivotal moment, where tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy were evident. JD Vance, then the president’s chief economic advisor, openly questioned Zelenskyy’s ability to meet U.S. expectations, with some in the room observing his growing frustration. The U.S. Treasury Chief urged Trump’s support for the internal dynamics of the administration, which often clashed over how to handle Zelenskyy’s demands. The book suggests that these disagreements underscored a broader struggle to balance American interests with Zelenskyy’s assertive agenda.
Strained Relations and Key Moments
Before the Oval Office meeting, Bessent had already engaged with Zelenskyy in Kyiv. The 45-minute discussion turned tense, with Bessent pressing the Ukrainian leader to finalize a minerals deal. The exchange, described as “intense,” included Bessent asking Zelenskyy, “What the fuck do you want to do?” This moment, part of the U.S. Treasury Chief urged Trump’s efforts to secure U.S. backing, illustrates the high-stakes nature of the negotiations and the personal friction between the two officials.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Chief urged Trump’s actions reflected a broader pattern of policy disagreements. While the administration aimed to support Ukraine, the way it approached the country’s leaders sometimes drew sharp criticism. The book’s focus on Bessent’s private remarks provides insight into how the U.S. Treasury Chief urged Trump’s advisors felt about the Ukrainian leader’s behavior and the potential consequences for U.S.-Ukraine relations. These accounts add depth to the understanding of the Trump administration’s foreign policy decision-making process.
Internal Conflicts and Political Rhetoric
Internal tensions within the Trump team were not limited to the Zelenskyy meetings. The U.S. Treasury Chief urged Trump’s actions were often debated, particularly regarding how to frame the relationship with Ukraine. The book also notes that Bessent privately compared Trump to George Soros, the influential Democratic donor, suggesting that both figures were seen as shaping global agendas in similar ways. This comparison highlights the complexity of Bessent’s role, balancing his loyalty to Trump with critical assessments of the president’s leadership style.
“Trump reminded him … of his old boss, the legendary investor and major Democratic donor George Soros,” Bessent is quoted as saying in *Regime Change*. This remark adds context to the U.S. Treasury Chief urged Trump’s internal conflicts, indicating that while he supported the president’s policies, he also recognized potential parallels between Trump and other progressive figures. The book’s revelations about Bessent’s personal views further emphasize the political and ideological debates that influenced the administration’s decisions on Ukraine.