P2025 links: Bessent’s right-wing All Seasons Press published a book by Project 2025 author Peter Navarro (also one by Mark Meadows) and MAGA heavyweight Tucker Carlson. He has spoken at right-wing Manhattan Institute.

Qualifications: Hedge fund manager and founder of private Key Square Capital Management firm; former chief investment officer of Soros Fund Management foundation staffer from 2011-15.

Disqualifications: No government experience. Gave $1.25 million via four donations to Trump campaign; also funded a Paul Ryan PAC, and other Republican causes. 

Views: He backs deregulation and supporting private sector trickle-down economics. He invested heavily in the two largest US coal producers, tobacco and ammunition producers, and two major Chinese e-commerce companies.