Scott Bessent Loses It After Getting Heckled at a Wine Bar

Summary

Bulwark Takes – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Scott Bessent Loses It After Getting Heckled at a Wine Bar
Podcast: Bulwark Takes
Air Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Tim Miller
Featured Discussion: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s real-life reaction to public heckling over economic policies, with a broader exploration of public shaming, accountability, and the limits of protest.

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tim Miller (Bulwark) dives into a viral incident involving U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at a D.C. wine bar, as witnessed by content creator Lucas Tim. The discussion centers on the merits and ethics of publicly shaming government officials whose actions have significant humanitarian consequences. Miller strongly defends the concept of public shaming of powerful figures, especially when their policies inflict widespread suffering, and shares both the details of the bar confrontation and his own take on holding public servants accountable.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Scott Bessent at a Wine Bar

• Lucas Tim, a Bulwark content creator, witnessed Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary, dining at a wine bar in Washington, D.C.
• Bessent, described as “smarmy and condescending,” is criticized for his role in U.S. economic policy, specifically sanctions and cuts in international aid, which critics say cause significant global harm.
• A fellow patron publicly heckled Bessent, calling out the humanitarian consequences of his policies.

Memorable Moment: The heckling, described and replayed for listeners, was direct:

• “Let’s give it up for the man who is eating in peace as people starve across the world based on his sanctions, which are economic warfare.” (02:21 – F, patron)

---

2. Heckler's Accusations and the Social Stigma Debate

• The heckler accused Bessent of being responsible for 600,000 deaths annually due to sanctions:

  “He oversees the death of 600,000 people due to sanctions annually… The blood is on your hands. You should be ashamed.” (02:43 – F; 03:12 – D)

• Miller makes a distinction between ordinary citizens and those wielding power:

  “I’m not saying that we should stigmatize…accountant or truck driver from Ohio who voted for Trump. They don’t need shame and social stigma… But Scott Besant is the Treasury Secretary... he is extremely smarmy and unappealing and condescending and gross when he's talking about the pain that he's causing people through the policies they've put forth.” (04:08 – C)

• Miller emphasizes the value of social stigma as a tool for holding power to account:

  “The only thing we have in this world is social stigma and shame, okay?” (03:22 – C)

---

3. Ethics and Limits of Public Protest

• Miller passionately endorses direct, vocal protest in public settings against powerful officials:

  “There’s no human right to be able to sit at a wine bar and eat crudité and stinky cheeses without people telling you that you suck. Sorry, it’s not in the First Amendment… It is people exercising their free speech rights to tell people in power that what they are doing is harming others and it’s bad and we are upset about it.” (04:27 – C)

• He adds nuance, drawing a line at violence or harassment in private spaces but defending public protest:

  “I don't support violence. Don't follow people into private areas... No spitballs. None of that. Reminding them that their policies are terrible. Shouting at them, making life unpleasant for them at a wine bar. That's a yes for me.” (10:04 – C)

---

4. Notable Reports from the Incident

• Miller relays Lucas Tim’s follow-up account:

  “Besant was so upset and whining. He said he watched as he tried to get the shouters kicked out, but when the waiter refused, he stood up and spit in his own food to be dramatic. And then he walked off like a real housewife at a reunion… Scott said, if you're gonna allow people to remind me that I'm responsible for deaths of tens of thousands of people in the Global South, then I will spit on this food that you made me and I will storm back off to my penthouse.” (08:56 – C quoting Lucas Tim)

---

5. Internal Dissent at The Bulwark & Self-Reflection

• Miller notes not everyone at The Bulwark agrees with his stance and hints at internal debates:

  “There is some disagreement among the Bulwark… There was somebody… who said that they can’t believe that I’m for this. Like, have you met me? Shame. Give me the shame bell. Shame. Shame. Shame on you, Scott Besant. Your policies are terrible, and you’re a prick. You’re hurting people.” (07:47 – C)

• He muses that, if Bessent felt confident in his integrity, public jeers wouldn’t bother him:

  “If you’re feeling like you’re acting in your own integrity, then it shouldn’t bother you if other people tell you that they think you suck, because you’re doing the best you can. I don’t think Scott thinks that he’s acting in his own integrity.” (07:35 – C)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Heckler (Patron, F):

  “Let’s give it up for the man who is eating in peace as people starve across the world based on his sanctions, which are economic warfare.” (02:21)
  “He oversees the death of 600,000 people due to sanctions annually.” (02:43)
  “How many people are going to die because the blood is on your hands?” (03:01)

• Tim Miller:

  “The only thing we have in this world is social stigma and shame, okay?” (03:22)
  “There’s no human right to be able to sit at a wine bar and eat crudité and stinky cheeses without people telling you that you suck.” (04:27)
  “Don’t follow them into the bathroom…No violence. No threats… But shouting at them, making life unpleasant for them at a wine bar. That’s a yes for me.” (10:04)
  “Sucks to suck, I think, is what people say.” (09:37)

• Incident Report via Lucas Tim:

  “He stood up and spit in his own food to be dramatic. And then he walked off like a real housewife at a reunion.” (08:56)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:30] – Tim Miller sets up the viral Bessent confrontation
• [02:21] – Audio from the actual heckling inside the wine bar
• [03:22] – Miller’s defense of social stigma in democracy
• [07:19] – Concluding reflections, internal Bulwark disagreements, and the ethics of protest
• [08:56] – Lucas Tim describes Bessent’s “spit-and-storm” reaction
• [10:04] – Final thoughts on limits of protest and public accountability

---

Tone and Takeaways

• The tone is irreverent, direct, and acerbic, matching The Bulwark’s signature blend of political critique and humor.
• Miller makes a fierce, almost gleeful case for shaming those in power who “cause human suffering,” especially when those officials show apparent disregard for the consequences of their policies.
• The episode stands as a defense of protest in public spaces, an acknowledgment of the pressure and emotions surrounding policy decisions, and a meta-conversation about responsible dissent and accountability within a divided political landscape.

---

Summary for New Listeners:
If you didn’t witness the social media buzz, this episode walks you through a real, awkward confrontation between a powerful government official and an angry public, explores why some believe public heckling is vital democratic feedback, and invites listeners to consider both the moral responsibilities of public servants and the limits of protest in civil society.

Transcript

[A]

Okay, it's kind of embarrassing how bad I am at budgeting.

[B]

Let me see your charges.

[A]

Ugh, fine.

[B]

You spent over $600 on takeout last month.

[A]

I can't cook. You know this.

[B]

Yes, I have had your disgusting food, but you're literally paying for a meal subscription on top of that.

[A]

Whoa, wait, wait, wait. That. That can't be right.

[B]

Look, just get Rocket Money. It shows you all of your expenses in one place and even tracks your subscriptions. And if there's a subscription you don't want, which for you, there are a lot you don't need, you can just cancel right in the app with a few taps.

[A]

So you mean I don't call anyone to cancel?

[C]

Nope.

[B]

No hold times or anything. And they'll even try to get you a refund on some of the months of wasted money, which is a lot of money for you.

[A]

Okay, okay.

[B]

And if you thought I was done, I'm not. The app can also help you make a budget that works for your income. Anytime you get close to your spending limits, it alerts you so you know exactly where your money is going at all times.

[A]

All right, Emin, what do I have to do?

[B]

Go to RocketMoney.com cancel or download the app from the Apple or Google Play stores.

[D]

Spinquest Social Casino. The presents are open and you're over the in laws. It's a perfect time to grab your phone and play spinquest.com with live dealer blackjack, craps and a ton of slots. And here's a great deal for the holiday. A $30 coin pack for $10. And if you're hearing this ad, you can play right now on SpinQuest.com SpinQuest.

[E]

Is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[C]

Hey, everybody. Tim Miller from the Bulwark, fellow content creator Lucas. Tim. That's Lucas. Tim. T H I M m. I'm T I m. Tim. Lucas was out at a restaurant with his mother. Lo and behold, sitting across the way from him was Scott Besant, the treasury Secretary, who is just doing a horrific job managing the economy and being very smarmy and condescending while he's at it. The farmers farmer Scott, Old farmer Scott was at a wine bar in D.C. i guess he wasn't. Didn't have time to tend to his crops. Well, as Lucas is there, he notices some other. Another person, another patron was not very happy with Scott. Besant didn't like him none too much and she started shouting, let's watch. Sounds like something you want to Watch. Right. I enjoyed it.

[F]

We have a special guest here and we want to make a toast for the Secretary of Treasury, Scott Vessen. So let's give it up for the man who is eating in peace as people starve across the world based on his sanctions, which are economic warfare.

[C]

Of course you're going to boo this.

[G]

It's the truth.

[F]

He oversees the death of 600,000 people due to sanctions annually. And this president, let's cheers to the Monroe Doctrine. Trump today said the Venezuelan oil.

[C]

And you have no idea how ignorant.

[F]

You are, responsible to the death of 600,000 people annually because of sanctions. How many people are going to die because the blood is on your hands?

[D]

The blood is on your hands. You should be ashamed.

[C]

Should not be.

[F]

Able to eat in peace.

[C]

I'm just going to say it. I love it. I love it. I love it. The only thing we have in this world is social stigma and shame, okay? I'm not saying that we should stigmatize. Scott Bowden, Scott Bossant, accountant or truck driver from Ohio who voted for Trump. They don't need shame and social stigma. If they are your cousin or your brother or your friend, you should shower them with love and help bring them on side. Help them see the light. But Scott Besant is the Treasury Secretary and he is extremely smarmy and unappealing and condescending and gross when he's talking about the pain that he's causing people through the policies that they've put forth, whether it be their tariffs, cut of usaid, the. The cut of aid throughout the world, the firing of experts, the firing of people that do research throughout the government, know the bombing of people in the Caribbean. Scott Bessant has his hands on all of this. Trump just said the other day he's the point man for some of the Venezuela stuff. Scott Bessant is responsible for a lot of human suffering, all right? And what we as a people in a free country are able to do is vote them out in the midterms and never vote for somebody who Scott Besant advises ever again in the future. In the meantime, what we can do in a free country is tell him that he sucks. Tell him that he sucks. And, you know, there's no human right to be able to sit at a wine bar and eat crudite and eat stinky cheeses without people telling you that you suck. Sorry, it's not in the First Amendment. It's not a cancellation. It is people exercising their free speech rights to tell people in power that what they are doing is harming others and it's bad and we are upset about it. And if they don't want to be yelled at at a wine bar, then maybe they shouldn't go to a wine bar. Maybe they should just work the fields. You know, Scott says that he's a farmer. Maybe you should be checking in on the people that are walking the rows, you know?

[G]

Detasseling this corn Bullwork Takes is sponsored by ORA Frames. We're now getting down to the wire in holiday shopping season. Hanukkah's already started and you're getting close to that window for Christmas. That window's closing. Basically, it's time to get serious with aura frames, and I just got my own in the mail. It adds a touch of home to my desk here at the Bulwark can catch a glance at all my favorite people and all the memories that I've compiled over the years, all in this great frame. You can upload unlimited photos and videos to your frame. Just download the Aura app and connect to Wi Fi and it's just about that easy. You can preload photos before it ships and it keeps adding them anytime from anywhere. If you want to send your parents photos of their grandkids, you can load them right onto your aura frame. Your parents will love it. Each frame comes in a premium gift box with no price tag. You can even add a personalized message for your recipient before the frame arrives. For a limited time, save on the perfect gift by visiting auraframes.com to get $35 off. Or as best selling carver mat fr named number one by Wirecutter, use the promo code bulwarktakes at checkout. That's a U R A frames.com promo code bulwarktakes. This deal is exclusive to listeners and frames do sell out fast, so order yours now to get it in time for the holidays. You are running out of time. Support the show by mentioning us at checkout. Terms and conditions apply.

[C]

Another idea is if he wants to go to the wine bar, he shouldn't be instituting policies that cause extensive human suffering and then rolling his eyes and haw haw hawing when reporters ask him about it. Do better, as my annoying online reply guys say, then maybe you won't get yelled at. Or maybe you will, but you'd feel good about yourself and so it wouldn't matter, right? If you felt like you were doing good policies. If you felt good about your you know, this is some therapy talk. If you're feeling like you're acting in your own integrity, then it shouldn't bother you if other people tell you that they think you suck because you're doing the best you can. I don't think Scott thinks that he's acting his own integrity. I don't. Maybe he does. Maybe he likes the bombing of random boats in the Caribbean. I don't know. But if you. Either way, you should be able to take some feedback. Now, I want you to notice here that I'm alone on this video, and that is because there is some disagreement among the bulwark. I think I've got JBL on my side. There's some disagreement. I'm not going to name names. I don't want to reflect anybod. Anybody's views. There was somebody, the Borg slack that. That you might know from this YouTube feed who said that they can't believe that I'm for this. Like, have you met me? Shame. Give me. Give me the shame bell. Shame. Shame. Shame on you, Scott Besant. Your policies are terrible, and you're a prick. You're hurting people. And if you want to go to a wine bar and have a little tempranillo, have a little syrah, you know, he's. He might. He might be more of a Sav Blanc guy. Have a little. Have a little Sauvignon Blanc, you know that's not true. You know, he does the fancy wines. You know he does the fancy wines. All right? He does wines. I don't even know. I don't even know the names of the varietals. Okay? But if you want to do that, then some people might tell you you suck. Some people might. Might remind you that your policies are leading to death and leading to human suffering in our country and around the world. So that's stuff. Break. I followed up with Lucas. Tim sent him a message, asked him what was happening there after the video. And here is his report. We can only just take him at his word. He was there firsthand. He said Besant was so upset and whining. He said he watched as he tried to get the shouters kicked out, but when the waiter refused, he stood up and spit in his own food to be dramatic. And then he walked off like a real housewife at a reunion. That's Lucas's report. I do want the video of that. Lucas, I'm upset. Scott's like, I spit on this food that you made me. So Scott said, if you're gonna allow people to remind me that I'm responsible for deaths of tens of thousands of people in the Global south, then I will spit on this food that you made me and I will storm back off to my penthouse. Tough world out there. Tough life. Tough being scuppercent. Sucks to suck, I think, is what people say. Here's my thing, okay? I don't support violence. Don't follow people into private areas. Don't go into the bathroom with them. You know, there was a protest. For once, I forget who they followed into a bathroom at the airport. I didn't like that. Don't follow them into the bathroom, okay? No violence. No threats of violence. No following them into the bathroom or other private areas, okay? No spitballs. None of that reminding them that their policies are terrible. Shouting at them, making life unpleasant for them at a wine bar. That's a yes for me. All right. If you are, you know, somebody who appreciates comedy a little more and who thinks that the bulwark should be modeling better behavior, know that there are some other members of the staff that agree with you. And you can tell me in the feed why I'm wrong. Let me tell you this. If I see Greg Bevino or Scott Besant at a New Orleans restaurant, they're gonna be hearing about it. We'll talk to y' all soon.

[D]

Spinquest Social Casino the presents are open and you're over the in laws. It's a perfect time to grab your phone and play spinquest.com with live dealer blackjack, crafts and a ton of slots. And here's a great deal for the holiday. A $30 coin pack for $10. And if you're hearing this ad, you can play right now on SpinQuest.com SpinQuest.

[E]

Is a free to play social casino boy. Where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[H]

It never happens at a good time. The pipe bursts at midnight. The heater quits on the coldest night. Suddenly you're overwhelmed. That's when HomeServ is here. For $4.99 a month, you're never alone. Just call their 247 hotline and a local pro is on the way. Trusted by millions, HomeServe delivers peace of mind when you need it most. For plans Starting at just $499 a month, go to homeserve.com that's homeserve.com not available everywhere. Most plans range between $4.99 to $11.99 a month. Your first year terms apply on covered repairs.

[E]

Check engine, ABS or maintenance light.

[G]

On.

[E]

Take the guesswork out of your warning lights with O'Reilly Veriscan. The service is free and provides a report with solutions verified by ASE certified Master Technicians. And if you need help, we could recommend a shop for you. Ask for O'Reilly Veriscan today.

[C]

Auto parts.