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Bessent faces credibility test on markets
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's bond-buyback plan pushed 30-year yields to 5.25%. His credibility as market steward is under threat from allies and economists.
Background
Bessent, a former Wall Street trader, has intervened in Treasury markets to lower long-term interest rates, but the move backfired as yields rose. His actions have drawn criticism from allies like Stanley Druckenmiller and raised concerns about Fed independence, especially amid a war with Iran and high deficits.
How it unfolded
- Aug 21, 2026Treasury announced a plan to at least double long-dated bond buybacks, aiming to lower yields; 30-year yields rose to 5.25%.
- Aug 24, 2026Bessent unveiled new sanctions threats against countries doing business with Iran, branded as 'economic D-Day'.
- Aug 26, 2026Politico reported that Bessent's credibility is under threat as allies criticize the bond-buying plan.
Who’s saying what
- Allies
- Stanley Druckenmiller and other longtime allies called the bond-buying plan a mistake that could push borrowing costs higher and undermine confidence in U.S. debt.
- Economists
- Gregory Daco of EY-Parthenon said the move undercuts Fed credibility and raises questions about the independence of monetary policy.
- Analysts
- Reuters analysts noted the $4 billion buyback target is a drop in the $32 trillion Treasury market, questioning its effectiveness.
Still unverified
Claims that Bessent's actions are politically motivated to aid Trump's re-election are opinions from critics like Paul Krugman, not confirmed facts.