Fox Business co-host Dagen McDowell has publicly criticized the Trump administration for not responding to inquiries from her network, especially as viewers seek clarity on economic issues amid growing recession concerns.
On the March 12 episode of “The Big Money Show,” McDowell criticized Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other officials, alleging they have consistently ignored her recent requests for engagement.
McDowell claimed that certain members of the White House and Treasury communications teams are unresponsive when the show attempts to schedule guests to discuss economic matters. She also noted that while her show receives no response, Scott Bessent appeared on a “low-rated program” on another network.
Her remarks seemed to refer to Bessent’s appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” on March 2. She suggested the secretary “could open the window and shout out of the window in New York City” to reach a larger audience than through his current media engagements.
McDowell stressed that better communication is vital during this period of economic instability. She emphasized that if reaching the American public is the goal, the Treasury’s staff should be responsive. “It’s disgraceful,” McDowell stated on air.
McDowell’s dissatisfaction extended to her personal connections within the administration. She mentioned airing grievances publicly, highlighting her connection to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, a former co-host on the network.
The criticism arises amid a turbulent time for financial markets, partly due to government layoffs, spending freezes, and tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on aluminum and steel imports. The Dow and S&P 500 recently saw their worst performances in three months, and the Nasdaq had its worst day since September 2022.
Economic indicators reflect increased uncertainty under the Trump administration’s policies. The Economic Policy Uncertainty Index has risen significantly, while consumer sentiment has declined, according to NPR reporting. The Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank’s GDPNow forecast for the first quarter of 2025 suggests a possible economic contraction.
The administration’s tariffs and unpredictable policy announcements have raised concerns among businesses and consumers. Trump has acknowledged that his policies might lead to a recession, stating: “There is a period of transition, because what we’re doing is very big.”
Former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly has also urged the Trump administration to enhance its economic messaging. On Monday’s “On Balance,” O’Reilly expressed concern over public fear and stressed the need to reassure Americans.
Fox commentator Charlie Gasparino joined the criticism, pointing out the administration’s ineffective communication about the economy. He remarked that officials were not effectively conveying the benefits of tax cuts and criticized Treasury Secretary Bessent’s recent statements as too technical, suggesting Bessent should improve his delivery of economic messages.
The communication issues are not limited to Fox Business. Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy has also begun questioning the administration’s economic decisions, particularly the tariffs on Canada and China, which have been linked to the stock market’s decline, according to Yahoo News reporting.
Republican lawmakers and business leaders have voiced concerns about the administration’s trade policies and the overall economic outlook. Some worry about the potential impact on their constituents and the party’s political prospects ahead of upcoming elections.
The White House is expected to attempt to reassure Americans whose retirement accounts have suffered due to the market downturn. This is challenging, given the administration’s previous encouragement for federal workers to retire as part of downsizing efforts.
McDowell’s public criticism highlights broader concerns about the administration’s economic communication strategy amid significant policy changes and market volatility. The approach of implementing major changes has led allies to adopt a defensive stance, explaining plans after execution rather than preparing the public beforehand.
Trump has acknowledged potential economic difficulties but argues that the economy will ultimately benefit from his policies. “The U.S. population will need to adjust to the changes being made,” he stated in a recent interview, asserting that short-term challenges would result in long-term advantages.
The administration’s economic messaging has been further complicated by officials’ attempts to take a long-term view while Trump’s campaign promises focused on short-term improvements. This disconnect has created additional challenges in explaining the current economic situation to the public.