Scott Kenneth Homer Bessent, born in August 1962 in Conway, South Carolina, is an American investor and philanthropist. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Yale University in 1984.

Bessent began his career at Soros Fund Management (SFM) in 1991, becoming a partner during the 1990s. He later founded Key Square Group, an investment firm.

In November 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Bessent for Secretary of the Treasury. If confirmed, he would oversee the Internal Revenue Service, banking regulations, and manage the nation’s $36 trillion debt.

Bessent has supported Trump’s economic policies, including tariffs, tax cuts, and deregulation. He views tariffs as a negotiation tool for better trade deals rather than broad implementation.

In his personal life, Bessent is married to John Freeman, and they have two children.

Bessent’s nomination has been welcomed by Wall Street for his pragmatic approach, with industry experts describing him as knowledgeable and measured.