Those who were old enough to be around when Robert Reich was Bill Clinton’s labor secretary know that he was a loudmouthed progressive with no formal economic training who was criticized for using emotion instead of logic in his leftist diatribes. He’s big on trashing corporations and rages against highly-paid CEOs, yet is all too happy to get rich himself on juicy speaking fees and book deals.
In 1997, he was roundly criticized for embellishing or exaggerating quotes and events in his memoir Locked in the Cabinet, to which he replied, "I'm not a journalist. These are my perceptions."
In short, then, this is not a guy who should be taking on the intellect of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. But he decided to tangle with him anyway on Monday:
An Open Letter to Scott Bessent https://t.co/5IXmud1d5N pic.twitter.com/gsjVKBD8N2
— Robert Reich (@RBReich) August 17, 2026
Bessent and Reich had been publicly arguing over the “K-shaped” economy, in which high-income households do well while lower- and middle-income ones fall behind. Reich argues that’s exactly what we’re seeing under the Trump administration, while Bessent declared on CNBC earlier in August that “the K-shaped economy is over.”
Reich went after the Treasury Secretary hard on his Substack:
Scott, your analysis is full of shite. It’s still a K-shaped economy.
And:
Go ahead, Scott — attack me with all the ad hominem arguments you want. But you need to know the reality I’m talking about. You’re the one with the power. I’m just a retired professor. Your failure to comprehend the struggles facing average working Americans makes me worry that you and your boss will continue to pursue policies that worsen them.
Bessent struck back with attitude, as he is wont, and noted the 4-foot-11 professor’s diminutive reasoning:
Once again, the professor has come up short…
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) August 19, 2026
His latest screed is an impressive display of economic prestidigitation.
He concedes that wages are growing faster for low-income workers and then attempts to bury that dispositive fact beneath nearly 2,000 words.
Bank of America… https://t.co/JGSZt09dRf
Once again, the professor has come up short…
His latest screed is an impressive display of economic prestidigitation.
He concedes that wages are growing faster for low-income workers and then attempts to bury that dispositive fact beneath nearly 2,000 words.
Bank of America data show that spending among lower- and middle-income households has converged toward levels at the top as they lead labor market gains.
MORE: Irrelevant Robert Reich Waxes Idiotic About Republican Party 'Lurching Toward Fascism'
Watch: Bessent Steamrolls Democrats During Fiery House Hearing
Bessent went on to point out that Reich had a known tendency to make up facts to fit his worldview:
Professor Reich has a documented history of “inventing dialogue” when the truth doesn’t fit his narrative, a habit that forced him to rewrite his memoir after the media exposed his fabrications. Burger King appears not to be the only one who peddles “Whoppers.”
He’s mentioning Burger King because Reich had argued that declining McDonald’s sales proved that the middle and lower classes were suffering. Bessent’s counterargument:
McDonald's problem is called Burger King, Professor. No wonder Bill Clinton fired you.
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) August 10, 2026
UC Berkeley should too, if that’s what passes for “research.” https://t.co/2XHXR2XWCS
The ever-smiling secretary then finished off the left-wing provocateur:
As I do not like “punching down,” this will be the last response to his four-decade pattern of packaging falsehoods as fact.
Oof, that’s going to leave a mark. As many have found out before him, Reich should think twice about taking on the quick-witted and smart-as-a-whip Bessent.
Personally, I wouldn’t mind if this feud continues, because it’s worthy of breaking out the popcorn.
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