Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent faced a tense Senate Finance Committee hearing when Senator Raphael Warnock pressed him on President Trump's self-assigned 'A plus plus plus plus plus' grade for the U.S. economy. Warnock noted that many Americans give the Trump economy a failing grade because they cannot afford basic goods, and asked Bessent what grade he would assign. Bessent avoided a direct letter grade, saying the economy has 'the makings of one of the strongest economies in history' with 2.6% growth and lower core inflation, but acknowledged 'temporarily elevated prices.' Warnock also challenged Bessent on the national debt, which has climbed above $31 trillion, and asked whether extending billionaire tax cuts through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — which he said would add nearly $5 trillion more — was a good investment. Bessent defended the tax policies, citing benefits for those earning under $100,000, and blamed the Biden administration for negative real wage growth.