Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mocked Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s Native American heritage in a snarky letter, wishing her Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day
while disputing her economic critiques.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s response to Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s letter on rising Treasury yields included a pointed jab at her 2018 DNA test, which revealed a distant Native American ancestor. In a handwritten note, Bessent wrote, Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day in advance to you and your family,
a reference to Warren’s long-standing heritage claims. The remark came two days before Columbus Day — or Indigenous Peoples’ Day, as Columbus haters prefer to celebrate.
Bessent’s Snarky Letter and Warren’s Heritage Claims
The secretary highlighted Warren’s 2018 DNA analysis, which showed she had a pure Native American ancestor who probably lived six to 10 generations ago,
according to the AP. This would result in her being approximately 1/64th Native American, or 1.56% on the high end, or 1/1,024th, which would be about 0.098% on the low end, with the AP noting it was impossible to determine
which tribe her ancestor belonged to. Warren had previously expressed regret to multiple tribes for undergoing the DNA test, which they argued does not define Native American identity.
Warren’s letter, released a few days prior, criticized the Trump Administration’s economic strategies, addressing the 10-year treasury yield and the administration’s efforts to reduce costs for American citizens. Bessent countered that Warren had as the federal funds rate climbed from near zero to its highest level in 22 years, with inflation hitting a 40-year high, you were a cheerleader for the Biden Administration’s reckless spending,
citing her support for a $5 trillion tax hike on every day Americans. He also defended the Working Families Tax Cuts,
claiming they continue to deliver for families and workers across the country.
Trump’s Columbus Statue and Political Context
Bessent’s well wishes came two days before Columbus Day. Bessent’s letter was released days after President Donald Trump unveiled a 13-foot marble statue of Columbus at the White House, a replica of a monument toppled by protesters in 2020. Trump claimed the statue “resurrected” Columbus, stating, He’s back to where he should be.
Bessent’s Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day
note, penned just before the holiday, underscored the political tension around heritage and historical memory.
Warren, a former Harvard Law professor, has faced scrutiny over her heritage claims since 2018. Her DNA test results, which she used to defend her self-identification as Native American, sparked backlash from tribal leaders.
Financial Policy Disputes and Public Accountability
The exchange reflects broader ideological clashes over economic policy. Warren’s Trumpflation Tracker
estimates cumulative inflation at 5.2% since December 2024, adding $3,388 in costs to households. Bessent dismissed her analysis, writing, Another day, another Econ 101 lesson for Professor Warren.
The Treasury Secretary also referenced Warren’s 100+ letters to the department over 21 months, suggesting her focus on “tabloid fodder” rather than policy solutions.
The dispute highlights the fraught intersection of personal identity, political rhetoric, and fiscal accountability in U.S. politics.