Trump’s top economic advisor can’t figure out why oil prices are spiking and these 17 incredulous clap backs were happy to fill him in

According to the U.S. Department of Treasury official government web site, the Secretary of Treasury is supposed to be “responsible for formulating and recommending domestic and international financial, economic, and tax policy, participating in the formulation of broad fiscal policies that have general significance for the economy, and managing the public debt.”

That all seems to be news to the current U.S. Secretary of Treasury, Scott Bessent, because the last time he was on camera, he was admitting this:

Bessent: “We’ve got a spike in oil prices today that I don’t really understand” pic.twitter.com/gd3QwyiBsd

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 20, 2026

You had one job!

Bessent’s outrageously out-of-touch answer and his expectations that everyone would just nod along were absolutely shredded in the replies on Twitter.

1.

That’s weird, because the rest of us understand it perfectly. https://t.co/7dRlIjh34f

— John Collins (@Logically_JC) August 20, 2026

2.

He “doesn’t understand” why there’s a spike in oil prices…which begs the question that comes up repeatedly: is he stupid or a liar? https://t.co/kkTSbsfAXJ

— Ana Kasparian (@AnaKasparian) August 20, 2026

3.

My hound mix, Ruby could explain it to him.
But sure, it’s a real mystery, Scott.

— Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) August 20, 2026

4.

“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.”
— Upton Sinclair https://t.co/N5CG6gp5T0

— Prof Michael E. Mann (@MichaelEMann) August 20, 2026

5.

I understand why, Scott. Your boss started a dumb war with no plan, and Americans are paying for it. https://t.co/HqTR44exAS

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) August 20, 2026

6.

Feels like it’s his job to know, but I understand Bessent is just a humble soybean farmer who’s estimated worth is half a billion dollars.

— Chris Robinson (@ChrisRobinsonNJ) August 20, 2026

7.

Our Secretary of the Treasury does not understand how oil prices are affected by war. Bessent needs to resign.

— Linda 🌎 (@Linda__Stevens) August 20, 2026

8.

Probably because your stupid President got us in a stupid war, Scott. https://t.co/Qg84VXVXFS

— Isaiah Martin (@isaiahrmartin) August 20, 2026