CNN’s Tapper Presses Treasury Secretary About ‘Optics’ of Trump’s Lavish Great Gatsby Bash
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent served up a healthy portion of “whataboutism” when CNN’s Jake Tapper asked him Sunday about the “optics” of President Donald Trump’s Great Gatsby party at his Florida club as the government shutdown raced toward its second month.
The lavish party based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1920’s masterpiece The Great Gatsby, was slammed by Democrats on social media, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) posting to social media, “Donald Trump hosted a Great Gatsby party while SNAP benefits were about to disappear for 42 million Americans. He does not give a damn about you.”
Tapper began by playing a clip of former President Barack Obama ridiculing Trump’s recent construction projects during a campaign rally for New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill (D).
Obama told the crowd that Trump “has been focused on some critical issues, like paving over the Rose Garden so folks don’t get mud on their shoes, and building a $300 million ballroom. And if you don’t get an invitation to the next White House shindig, you can always watch the festivities on Trump’s live feed on Truth Social.”
“Now, these comments came within a day of the president hosting a…Gatsby-themed Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago while SNAP benefits are set to run out, and you can understand the general theme,” Tapper addressed Bessent. “I’ve heard Republicans even express concern about the general optics here of parties and lavish ballrooms and such while a lot of Americans are hurting. What’s your response?”
“My response is that the Democrats should reopen the government,” Bessent said. “And, you know, I believe President Obama played a record amount of golf of any president. So, you know, I’m not sure why he’s out there throwing stones. And you know that it’s unfortunate: We’ve got 52 Republican senators who have voted to reopen the government, two brave Democrats. And I’m calling here on five moderate Democrats to be heroes. Let’s reopen the government.”
CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller tracked Obama’s golf outings during his eight years in office, finding that the 44th president played a total of 333 rounds averaging out to about 41 rounds per year.
The Golf News Net reported that during his first term alone, Trump “reportedly had been on the grounds of his golf courses or played golf elsewhere 377 times during his time as President.”
The all-time record holder, according to Essential Golf, was Woodrow Wilson, who played more than 1,200 rounds during his two terms.
Watch the clip above via CNN.
