Trump Nominee Is About to Make LGBTQ+ History. Progressives Aren't Cheering
Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Treasury, is set to make history as the nation's highest-ever ranking LGBTQ+ official, but his nomination isn't being cheered on by progressives concerned about Trump's record on LGBTQ+ rights.If confirmed by the Senate, Bessent would become the highest-ranking LGBTQ+ official ever.
Only four openly LGBTQ+ people have ever served in a presidential cabinet—Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, former Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell and former Acting U.S.
Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis.His nomination comes as acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights backslid in 2024, according to a Gallup poll, which found 69 percent of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be valid, a slight decrease from in 2023 when that number was 71 percent.Bessent, who previously supported Democrats but has become a vocal supporter of the president-elect, including his calls for tariffs on imported goods, would be fifth in line for the presidency if confirmed by the Senate.He is openly gay and married to lawyer John Freeman; they have two children together.
He is a co-founder of Key Square Group, previously working for Soros Fund Management.But many LGBTQ+ groups and progressives have stayed quiet about the historic nature of his nomination.
