Trump Official Admits Americans Won't See Billions in Tariff Revenues

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hints the public may never see $175 billion in tariffs collected under Trump's policies.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged that the American public is unlikely to see the return of $175 billion in tariffs collected by the Trump administration. This comes after the Supreme Court struck down the president's ability to impose such tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Bessent stated the issue is now in dispute and could be "dragged out for weeks, months, years" as the government battles over the funds.

Why it matters

The admission that the public may never see the return of billions in tariff revenues collected under the Trump administration's policies raises questions about government transparency and accountability. It also highlights the ongoing legal battles over the president's use of emergency powers to impose tariffs, which the Supreme Court has now ruled unconstitutional.

The details

During an event at the Economic Club of Dallas, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the $175 billion in tariffs collected by the Trump administration is now in dispute after the Supreme Court struck down the president's ability to impose such tariffs under the IEEPA. Bessent predicted the issue could be "dragged out for weeks, months, years" as the government battles over the funds, suggesting the American public may never see that money returned.

  • The Trump administration collected about $175 billion in tariffs under the IEEPA before the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional.
  • On February 20, 2026, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made these comments at an event in Dallas, Texas.

The players

Scott Bessent

The current Treasury Secretary under the Trump administration.

Ray Washburne

The moderator who questioned Bessent about the tariff revenues at the Economic Club of Dallas event.

Donald Trump

The former president who imposed the tariffs that generated the $175 billion in revenues now in dispute.

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What they’re saying

“But is that going to be in dispute? Like who gets it back?”

— Ray Washburne, Moderator (Economic Club of Dallas)

“Yeah, it's in dispute. The Supreme Court did not rule on that today. They pushed it back down to the International Tax and Trade Court. And my sense is that could be dragged out for weeks, months, years.”

— Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary (Economic Club of Dallas)

“Well, that's going to be a food fight going after the $175 billion.”

— Ray Washburne, Moderator (Economic Club of Dallas)

“I got a feeling the American people won't see it.”

— Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary (Economic Club of Dallas)

What’s next

The dispute over the $175 billion in tariff revenues collected by the Trump administration will now be taken up by the International Tax and Trade Court, with the process potentially dragging on for weeks, months, or even years.

The takeaway

The admission by a top Trump administration official that the American public may never see the return of billions in tariff revenues collected under the former president's policies raises serious concerns about government transparency and accountability. This case highlights the ongoing legal battles over the president's use of emergency powers and the potential for protracted disputes over the disposition of such funds.