Treasury’s Bessent Slams Tax Hike Idea as “Ridiculous” Amid Iran War Costs

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is ruling out tax hikes as the cost of the Iran war rapidly climbs, even as pressure builds over how the U.S. will pay for it.

In a tense NBC interview, Bessent dismissed the idea outright, calling it “not at all” under consideration and arguing the government already has enough funding. According to Reuters, the Pentagon is seeking up to $200 billion more, while the conflict has already burned through billions in its opening days.

The clash escalated when NBC’s Kristen Welker pressed him on funding sources, prompting Bessent to call the question “ridiculous.” He pointed instead to existing military budgets, saying the U.S. has “plenty of money” to sustain operations.

But the math is raising new questions. Lawmakers from both parties are already pushing back on additional spending, and economists warn the war’s ripple effects—especially rising energy prices—could hit Americans indirectly.

Bessent did not explain exactly where future funding would come from, leaving a key question unresolved.

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