
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg mocked current Treasury Secretary and former hedge fund manager Scott Bessent for his casual suggestion that retirees own dozens of houses.
Bessent, whose estimated net worth is in the hundreds of millions, was at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, talking with Fox host Maria Bartiromo about how the administration will protect “mom and pop” landlords from large investment groups.
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“Someone, maybe your parents for their retirement have bought 5, 10, 12 homes,” Bessent said, describing those “mom and pop” landlords.
Good news for the forgotten man. The mom and pop real estate investor who has purchased 12 homes can breathe easy, the Treasury Secretary is looking out for you. https://t.co/3y0O5oLpMA
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) January 20, 2026
Buttigieg brought up how Republicans in the Senate aren’t passing legislation to extend tax credits for certain health care plans into the new year, which means that many people will see their premiums increase dramatically. He suggested that the president could push Senate Republicans to vote for such legislation, but has not yet done so.
“Again, the president could dramatically lower health insurance premiums TODAY with one phone call to Senate leadership, but he refuses. Meanwhile, at Davos….” Buttigieg wrote on social media, sharing the video of Bessent.
Again, the president could dramatically lower health insurance premiums TODAY with one phone call to Senate leadership, but he refuses. Meanwhile, at Davos….
— Pete Buttigieg (@petebuttigieg.bsky.social) 2026-01-20T19:52:54.542Z
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, around 65% of Americans own at least one home. According to the National Association of Home Builders, an estimated 4.6% of homes in the U.S. are second homes.