A new book by two New York Times journalists quotes US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent using crude insults about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in private conversations, including calling him a 'little bastard,' a 'special needs child,' and 'Mr. Bean on crack,' according to Israeli journalist Asaf Rozentsvaig (N12). Bessent also urged President Trump not to host Zelensky in the Oval Office until he signed a minerals agreement with the US, before Zelensky's contentious February 2025 White House meeting.
A new book by two New York Times journalists, cited Saturday evening by Asaf Rozentsvaig of N12, alleges that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made crude and derogatory remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in private conversations before Zelensky's stormy White House visit in February 2025. According to the report, Bessent called Zelensky a 'little bastard,' a 'special needs child,' and 'Mr. Bean on crack,' and urged President Trump not to host him in the Oval Office until Kyiv signed a minerals agreement with the US.
As The Zioneer reported earlier on Saturday, the book's claims were first flagged by The Guardian, though they have not been independently confirmed by US or Ukrainian officials. The Treasury Department has not issued a response. The episode underscores the strained relations between the Trump administration and Ukraine in early 2025, which culminated in a tense Oval Office exchange between Trump and Zelensky.
2 developments
- DevelopingBook: New allegations of Bessent using crude slurs against Zelensky
- DevelopingSenior US official says Trump to meet with Ukraine's Zelensky
- DevelopingSmotrich says there is a crisis with Trump, challenge is managing it without harming Israeli security
- StrongTrump tells Zelensky after 'very good' meeting that Russia must reach peace deal
Source and signal
- Internal intake