Mental acuity

The current occupant, speaking today at the U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum. Via Aaron Rupar (my transcription):

“Interest rates are down despite the Fed. Uh, I mean, Scott, you gotta work on this guy, he’s got some real mental problems. [Points to his head.] No, there’s something wrong with him. It’s juss, it’s ridic — I’ll be honest, I’d love to fire his ass. He should be fired. Guy’s grossly incompetent, and he should be sued for spending four billion dollars to build a little building. I’m building a ballroom that’s gonna cost a tiny fraction of that and it’s bigger than the whole thing put together. You gotta work on him, Scott. The only thing Scott’s blowing it on is the Fed, because the Fed, the rates are too high, Scott, and if you don't get it fixed fast, I’m gonna fire your ass, okay? I can't tell you, ‘Scott —’ ‘Sir, don’t fire him.” ‘It’s got —’ ‘Sir, please don’t fire him, he’s got three months to go. Don’t fire him.’ ‘I want to get him out, Scott.’ ‘Please.’ He’s the voice of reason. You’re very lucky you have him, I’ll tell you that.”

Related reading
All OCA mental acuity posts (Pinboard)

[Scott is Scott Bessent. “Juss” is an attempt to reproduce slurring. It’s not a typo.]