Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confronted Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday, bringing up emails linking Wyden’s son, Adam, to Jeffrey Epstein. Bessent accused Wyden of using attacks on the Treasury Department to distract from his son’s past dealings with Epstein. Wyden responded by calling Bessent a 'capo' in a 'corrupt regime.'
The exchange occurred as Bessent testified about the Trump administration’s 2027 budget requests. Wyden had earlier criticized Bessent’s handling of transparency issues related to Epstein. Bessent then referenced emails showing Adam Wyden sought Epstein’s support for a business venture in 2016. The emails, released by the Department of Justice, revealed a meeting between Adam Wyden, Epstein, and a mutual friend at Epstein’s Manhattan mansion. Bessent also noted that Adam Wyden’s largest investment was in a strip club chain, Rick’s Cabaret, and asked if the two discussed 'pole dancing' during their meeting.
Wyden’s office has not publicly responded to the allegations. Epstein, a former financier, died in prison in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges. The DOJ’s release of Epstein-related documents last year revealed numerous connections between Epstein and prominent figures, though no direct wrongdoing has been proven against Wyden or his son.