President Donald Trump’s tariff battles are boosting the public image of one of his top cabinet officials, who now ranks as the most trusted among his peers. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent leads recent polls by a wide margin, with Americans viewing him as the most reliable advisor to the president during a volatile stock market and the rollout of temporary tariffs affecting dozens of countries worldwide.
Polling from J.L. Partners shows Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent holding a +14 net approval rating among the general public—well ahead of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who are tied for second at +8.
Bessent, the first openly gay cabinet secretary confirmed by the Senate under a Republican administration, was seen as an unconventional pick by President Trump due to his deep Wall Street connections. However, he has since become a key figure within the administration, serving as a trusted advisor to financial leaders unsettled by the tariff strategy. Bessent played a pivotal role in persuading Trump that the tariffs had achieved their intended impact within a week and negotiated their reduction to 10% in most cases, in return for a 90-day pause to pursue trade agreements with over 70 countries.
His presence in the Oval Office has reassured some of Trump’s most uncertain supporters, such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who publicly urged Trump last week to eliminate the tariffs, stating they were “not what Americans voted for.” Shortly after the tariffs were repealed, Ackman, who had relied on Bessent for insights into Trump’s mindset, swiftly changed his stance. “This was brilliantly executed by [Trump]. Textbook, Art of the Deal,” he wrote on X.
NEW: Scott Bessent is the most popular senior Trump official.
Net job approval among registered voters:
Bessent +14
RFK Jr +8
Gabbard +8
Rubio +7
Noem +7
Hegseth +6
Musk -61,019 registered voters; coverage in @dcexaminer https://t.co/a6EpNpOLeJ
— J.L. Partners ?? (@J_L_Partners) April 10, 2025
Trailing the top three in the poll are Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, both holding a +7 net approval rating. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stands slightly higher with a +6 margin, while cost-cutting advisor Elon Musk is viewed unfavorably by a majority of respondents at -6, but no doubt much of that ‘hate’ is media-driven.
The survey of 1,019 voters provides an early look at the sustained popularity of Trump and the bipartisan cabinet team surrounding him. Despite ongoing economic uncertainties, the public has largely expressed support for Trump’s performance—particularly in his efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse within the federal government. Recently, the president’s approval rating has changed, dropping from 56% favorable to 51% unfavorable, according to YouGov. The removal of tariffs last week improved his standing; previously, only 46% of Americans viewed him favorably.
