Politics

Treasury Secretary Admits Threatening to Kick Intelligence Director's Ass in Senate Testimony

Raging Moderates · A Rare Republican Break With Trump Raises New Questions · June 4, 2026

Raging Moderates

A Rare Republican Break With Trump Raises New Questions

"Did you actually tell Paulte, you were going to punch him in the face? No, sir. I actually said I was going to kick his ass."

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitted under Senate questioning that he threatened physical violence against Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte last summer, stating with apparent pride that he said he would 'kick his ass.' Senator Tillis responded approvingly, saying he shares the emotion. The exchange highlights the breakdown of professionalism at the highest levels of government and what the hosts call 'performative masculinity' now celebrated in Trump's cabinet.

About this episode

In this episode of Raging Moderates, hosts Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov analyze mounting Republican opposition to Trump's Iran war, cabinet infighting, and the growing socioeconomic divide among American men. The most significant development discussed was a leaked audio from Iowa Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson revealing she has attended four soldier funerals since December due to the Iran conflict, signaling GOP anxiety about military casualties and electoral consequences. Four Republicans broke with their party to advance a War Powers Resolution limiting Trump's military authority, marking a rare rebuke. The hosts examined escalating dysfunction within Trump's cabinet, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's admission under Senate testimony that he threatened to physically assault Acting DNI Bill Pulte, with Senator Tillis responding approvingly. The episode covered Maine Senate candidate Graham Plattner facing intense questioning from senior Democrats including Sanders and Warren over rumored domestic violence allegations, and Ivanka Trump's widely mocked comments about discovering a $1.4 billion Albanian resort development opportunity while swimming from a yacht during her father's presidency. Galloway and Tarlov also discussed primary election results from Iowa and California, with Trump endorsements showing mixed results and California's prolonged ballot counting fueling renewed fraud claims. The episode concluded with analysis of new data showing educated fathers working fewer hours outside the home and spending more time on childcare, while less-educated men increasingly detach from work and family. Throughout, the hosts identified institutional breakdown as a connecting thread across stories, from Congress's limited ability to constrain presidential war powers to the dissolution of professional norms in cabinet-level positions.

Key takeaways

Republican Iowa Senate candidate Ashley Hinson revealed in leaked audio she attended four soldier funerals since December due to Iran war casualties.
Four Republicans voted with Democrats on War Powers Resolution to limit Trump's Iran military operations, marking rare party defection.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitted under oath he threatened to kick Acting DNI Bill Pulte's ass, with Senator Tillis responding approvingly.
Bloomberg reported IAEA findings show Iran's nuclear risk increased rather than decreased following US and Israeli military strikes.
Democratic senators including Sanders and Warren confronted Maine candidate Graham Plattner over rumored domestic violence allegations expected to surface publicly.
Ivanka Trump sparked widespread mockery describing discovery of $1.4 billion Albanian resort site while swimming from friend's yacht.
New study shows educated fathers cut work hours by six and increased childcare time while less-educated men increasingly detach from employment and family.