Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent absolutely humiliated California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday after the far-left governor floated an outrageous plan to impose a 100% tax on Californians who receive payouts from President Trump’s anti-weaponization compensation fund.
And Bessent needed just five words to destroy the entire argument.
During a press briefing, a reporter asked Bessent about Newsom’s latest meltdown after California Democrats erupted over Trump’s effort to compensate Americans targeted by politically motivated government abuse and weaponized prosecutions.
“Newsom says he wants a 100% tax on Californians that receive money from Trump’s anti-weaponization fund. Your response?” the reporter asked.
Bessent didn’t hesitate.
“There’s no cure for STUPID,” Bessent fired back before immediately walking out of the room.
The savage response instantly exploded online.
WATCH:
🔥 Scott Bessent just dropped a NUKE on Gavin Newsom and then WALKED OUT of the room 😂
REPORTER: Newsom says he wants a 100% tax on Californians that receive money from Trump’s anti-weaponization fund. Your response?
BESSENT: “There’s no cure for STUPID” 🤣🔥
*walks out* pic.twitter.com/CNGcpkoFBF
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 28, 2026
The exchange happened after Newsom — whose state is already a national punchline for sky-high taxes, homelessness, businesses fleeing in droves, and one of the worst-run governments in America — announced he would try to claw back every penny Californians might receive from the fund.
The Anti-Weaponization Fund (approximately $1.776 billion) was created as part of the settlement in President Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over the illegal leaking of his tax returns. It establishes a process for everyday Americans who were targeted by the weaponized deep state and lawfare machine under previous administrations to seek redress.
Newsom, in classic Democrat projection mode, immediately branded it a “slush fund” and vowed:
“Anyone from California that receives any of those funds, we want to tax 100% of those proceeds… It’s an action the state of California can take. It’s an action we look forward to taking.”
Bessent didn’t even bother with a long-winded policy lecture. He gave the only response the moment deserved.
Jim Hᴏft is the founder and editor of The Gateway Pundit, one of the top conservative news outlets in America. Jim was awarded the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award in 2013 and is the proud recipient of the Breitbart Award for Excellence in Online Journalism from the Americans for Prosperity Foundation in May 2016.
You can email Jim Hᴏft here, and read more of Jim Hᴏft’s articles here.
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