Treasury Secretary Bessent recently voiced frustration over how mainstream media outlets are framing the current economic narrative. According to his remarks, the administration feels misrepresented as polling figures slide and households continue grappling with elevated living expenses.

The disconnect is hard to ignore: while official statements emphasize recovery momentum, everyday Americans still face stubbornly high grocery bills, rent hikes, and utility costs. This gap between policy messaging and street-level reality creates fertile ground for public skepticism.

What's particularly striking is the timing—approval ratings dipping just as economic indicators send mixed signals. Some analysts argue media coverage amplifies negative sentiment, while others point to genuine affordability struggles that data can't mask. Either way, the tension between perception and metrics highlights how fragile consumer confidence remains when wallets feel the squeeze regardless of what charts suggest.