Scott Bessent, President-elect 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.
Why It Matters
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.
What to Know
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. Groups like GLAAD have not released statements about his nomination after celebrating Buttigieg's nomination four years earlier.
Notably, many in the LGBTQ+ community view Trump's record as being hostile to LGBTQ+ rights, as he implemented a ban on transgender Americans from serving in the military and appointed Supreme Court justices many fear could overturn marriage equality or other protections.
Kelley J. Robinson, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, released a statement noting the relevance of his nomination after Trump announced the pick in November.
"We need pro-equality LGBTQ+ nominees and LGBTQ+ people at all levels of government. The LGBTQ+ community is counting on openly LGBTQ+ nominees like Scott Bessent to step up for the community," Robinson wrote. "HRC has a long history of working across the aisle to advance equality and this appointment may be an opportunity to continue."
She also noted that the advocacy organization still opposes Trump.
"It will be a tough road - as was proven Donald Trump's previous administration and in his Project 2025 agenda, Donald Trump and his White House are a threat to the rights, freedoms and lives of LGBTQ+ people. That will be our focus in the upcoming days, months and years ahead," she wrote.
Bessent is viewed as one of Trump's less controversial picks who may have an easier path to confirmation. Wall Street saw gains after Trump announced his nomination, a sign of approval from traders.
But he has sparked some criticism, including from Elon Musk, who described him as a "business as usual choice" in a November post to X.
Newsweek reached out to GLAAD, the Trump-Vance transition team and the Log Cabin Republicans for comment via email.
What People Are Saying
Journalist John Gallagher in an LGBTQ+ Nation article: "It's hard to justify a gay man working in the second Trump administration. At the outset of the first administration, you could always argue that Trump was still unknown, but you can't make that claim now. He's a known, corrosive quantity."
Charles Moran, Log Cabin Republicans president, in a statement: "His nomination is another step in President Trump's steadfast determination to fill his Administration with the most qualified people for the job who can help carry out his agenda. Trump's selection of Bessent, who is also openly gay, married, and has two children with his partner, is also a reminder of President Trump's love and respect for LGBT Americans."
What Happens Next
Bessent's confirmation is being held on Thursday, and a vote on his confirmation has not been announced.
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