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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had to pause a live TV interview on Thursday after he was called by President Donald Trump to the situation room amid the ongoing Iran war. The 63-year-old Bessent was having a sit-down chat with Sky News's Wilfred Frost at the White House when one of the former's aides came and told him, "The President wants you right away".
Bessent was seen removing his microphone and excusing himself. It was 10.22 am when the incident happened. The journalist had to wait for nearly two hours before the Treasury Secretary rejoined the interview.
Once the 63-year-old was back, he was visibly shaken and somewhat stuttered. When the Sky News journalist asked how Trump was and if the US President was stressed, Bessent replied, "The President is in great spirits. The Iranian mission is proceeding well ahead of schedule."
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was abruptly pulled from a live interview after being told “the President wants you right away.”
After returning, his voice was noticeably shaken. pic.twitter.com/jx5CamFi03— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 13, 2026
The US Treasury Secretary then praised Trump and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, while speaking about his teenage child, who he said is considering military service. "I would trust my child’s life in their hands."
Throughout the response, Bessent's voice shook. Moreover, the 63-year-old was evasive about the situation in Iran during the rest of the interview.
Bessent, who is the first openly gay person to lead the US Treasury Department, shares two children – Cole and Caroline – born through surrogacy, with his husband John Freeman.
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Published On:
Mar 13, 2026 16:00 IST
