Scott Bessent has made history with his recent appointment and confirmation as the Treasury Secretary of the United States, positioning him as the highest-ranking openly gay official in the nation’s history. His confirmation marks a significant milestone, as he becomes the first LGBTQ+ person to have his signature on United States dollar bills.
Bessent’s rise within the government reflects an increasing visibility of LGBTQ individuals at high levels of governance. He is only the second openly LGBTQ member of a President’s cabinet to be confirmed by the Senate, the first being Pete Buttigieg, who took on the role of Transportation Secretary under President Joe Biden in early 2021.
Beyond his government role, Bessent has a history of political engagement dating back to the 2000 presidential campaign, during which he hosted a fundraiser for Al Gore. His financial contributions have spanned various political figures and movements; notably, he has also donated to Democratic campaigns led by Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Interestingly, in 2016, Bessent contributed $1 million to Donald Trump’s inaugural committee, showcasing a diverse political portfolio.
In his personal life, Bessent resides in Charleston, South Carolina, with his husband, John Freeman. Freeman, a former New York City prosecutor, and Bessent share two children, a teenage son named Cole and his younger sister Caroline, both conceived through surrogacy.
Their family home, referred to as the John Ravenel house, has garnered attention not only for its historic significance but also for its extensive renovations, which restored many original architectural details. The Charleston Preservation Society praised this transformation, awarding it in 2021 for excellence in preservation efforts. Following its renovation, the property, affectionately nicknamed the Pink Palace, has recently been placed on the market for sale, emphasising its appeal in the historic Charleston area.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/senate-confirms-scott-bessent-as-treasury-secretary – This URL supports the claim that Scott Bessent was confirmed as the Treasury Secretary, marking him as the first openly gay individual in this role. It also mentions his political background and policy positions.
- https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom-news-releases-barrasso-statement-on-the-confirmation-of-scott-bessent-as-treasury-secretary/ – This URL provides additional context on Scott Bessent’s confirmation, highlighting his economic vision and support from Senator John Barrasso.
- https://www.congress.gov/nomination/119th-congress/11/1 – This URL confirms Scott Bessent’s nomination and confirmation as the Secretary of the Treasury, providing official documentation from Congress.
- https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president-biden/biography/pete-buttigieg/ – Although not directly available, this would typically be the source to confirm Pete Buttigieg as the first openly LGBTQ member of a President’s cabinet, which is mentioned in the article.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, dated March 2025, but lacks confirmation from major news outlets or official government announcements.
Quotes check
Score:
0
Notes:
No direct quotes were found in the narrative.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from WeHo Online, which is not a widely recognized major news source. This reduces certainty about the information’s accuracy.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims about Scott Bessent’s appointment and personal life are plausible but lack verification from authoritative sources like government announcements or major news outlets.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
While the narrative is recent and plausible, it lacks confirmation from major news outlets or official sources, which reduces confidence in its accuracy. Further verification is needed.
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