Fox Business co-host Dagen McDowell has expressed dissatisfaction with the Trump administration this week for neglecting her network’s requests for information amid growing concerns about the economy and potential recession.
On the March 12, 2025, episode of “The Big Money Show,” McDowell criticized Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other officials, alleging they have repeatedly ignored her attempts to seek answers in recent weeks.
McDowell claimed that members of the communications teams at the White House and the Treasury have not cooperated when the show seeks guest appearances to discuss economic matters. She pointed out that while they ignore her show, Scott Bessent has appeared on a low-rated program on another network.
She referred to Bessent’s March 2 appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” suggesting that the secretary “could open the window and shout out of the window in New York City, New York” to reach more viewers than through his selected media outlets.
McDowell emphasized that effective communication is essential during this time of economic uncertainty. She stated that if communicating with the American public is a priority, the Treasury staff should be responsive to messages. “It’s disgraceful,” McDowell remarked on air.
McDowell’s frustrations also extended to her personal connections in the administration, threatening to “air dirty laundry all day” and acknowledging her connection to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, a former network co-host.
The criticism occurs during a challenging week 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 both recently recorded their worst performances in three months, while the Nasdaq had its poorest day since September 2022.
Economic indicators suggest increasing uncertainty under the Trump administration’s policies. The Economic Policy Uncertainty Index has experienced a significant rise, and consumer sentiment has declined, according to NPR. The Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank’s GDPNow forecast for the first quarter of 2025 predicts a potential economic contraction.
The administration’s tariff policies and unpredictable policy announcements have led to apprehension among businesses and consumers. Trump himself has not ruled out the possibility that his policies could 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 improve its economic messaging. On Monday’s “On Balance,” O’Reilly highlighted concerns about the fear factor and stressed the need to reassure Americans.
Fox commentator Charlie Gasparino echoed the criticism, focusing on the administration’s ineffective communication regarding the economy. He noted that officials were not clearly conveying the potential benefits of tax cuts and criticized Treasury Secretary Bessent’s recent statements as overly technical, suggesting Bessent should enhance his presentation of the administration’s economic message.
The communication issues extend beyond Fox Business. Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy has begun questioning the administration’s economic choices, particularly the tariffs on Canada and China, which have contributed to the stock market’s decline, according to Yahoo News.
Republican lawmakers and business leaders have raised concerns about the administration’s trade policies and the broader economic outlook, with some worried about the potential impact on their constituents and the party’s political standing ahead of upcoming elections.
The White House is expected to try to reassure Americans whose retirement accounts have been negatively affected by the market downturn, a challenge given previous efforts to encourage federal workers to retire as part of government downsizing initiatives.
McDowell’s public critique highlights wider concerns about the administration’s economic communication strategy amid significant policy changes and market volatility. The administration’s approach of implementing substantial changes has led its allies to adopt a defensive posture, explaining plans after execution rather than preparing the public beforehand.
Trump has acknowledged the potential for economic challenges but insists that the economy will benefit in the long term from his policies. “The U.S. population will need to adjust to the changes being made,” he stated in a recent interview, contending that short-term difficulties will result in long-term gains.
The administration’s economic messaging is complicated by officials attempting to focus on long-term perspectives while Trump’s campaign promises centered on short-term economic improvements. This disconnect has created additional challenges for those tasked with explaining the current economic situation to the American public.
