A new book titled Regime Change details a series of contentious remarks made by Scott Bessent, Donald Trump’s treasury secretary, concerning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This book, authored by New York Times journalists Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, will be available on June 23. It draws on extensive interviews and unique insights from within Trump’s administration, as noted by Simon & Schuster.
Excerpts from The Guardian reveal that Bessent allegedly described Zelensky in derogatory terms, such as a “little f****r” and likened him to a “special-needs child for the Europeans.” He also referred to Zelensky as “Mr. Bean on crack.” The U.S. Treasury Department and Ukraine’s foreign ministry have been contacted by Newsweek for their comments on these claims.
Allegations Against Bessent
Bessent supposedly made these comments to his colleagues while discussing Zelensky’s visit to the White House on February 28. Their meeting with Trump ended in a contentious exchange, overshadowing what was supposed to be a significant diplomatic discussion. Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky for not showing enough appreciation for U.S. support and for his casual attire.
The conflict, a rare public dispute between world leaders, abruptly halted the planned press conference. The visit’s primary goal—a minerals agreement—was shelved, though a deal was eventually reached in April, creating a joint investment fund related to Ukraine’s resources.
Bessent and Zelensky’s Previous Encounter
Days prior to the White House meeting, Bessent visited Kyiv to negotiate terms on the potential minerals deal. Reports indicate a heated confrontation between Bessent and Zelensky, with Bessent reportedly asking, “What the f*** do you want to do?” The Financial Times had previously covered aspects of this Kiev meeting, while Trump mentioned that Bessent had been treated poorly there.
Bessent described the Oval Office exchange as a major diplomatic failure and expressed his dismay in an interview with Bloomberg Television. He criticized Zelensky’s conduct as disrespectful to both U.S. leaders and the American people.