Bessent to Chart Economic Future at High-Stakes Reagan Forum

SIMI VALLEY, CA – May 05, 2026 – Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent is set to take center stage at the influential Reagan National Economic Forum (RNEF) later this month, where he will join a formidable roster of policymakers and business titans to debate the future of the U.S. economy. His participation in a fireside chat at the May 28–29 event, held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, comes at what organizers call a "pivotal moment" for the nation's economic path.

The forum's theme, "Building the American Future: Growth, Innovation, and Opportunity at 250," frames the discussion against the backdrop of the nation's upcoming semiquincentennial anniversary. The gathering aims to forge policy solutions that echo the principles of the 40th president, whose economic legacy of growth and free enterprise remains a powerful touchstone for the event.

"Secretary Bessent brings deep experience in global financial markets and economic policy at a pivotal moment for the U.S. economy," said Roger Zakheim, Washington Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute. "We are honored to welcome him to RNEF and look forward to his perspective on shaping America's economic future."

Bessent's Vision Meets Reagan's Legacy

Secretary Bessent is expected to arrive in Simi Valley championing the Trump administration's optimistic economic outlook. A proponent of what he calls the "Bountiful 2026" plan, Bessent has been forecasting a "blockbuster year" for the U.S. economy, with GDP growth projected to hit at least 3.5%, potentially surging past 5%. This bullish forecast is rooted in the administration's aggressive supply-side strategy, anchored by the "One Big, Beautiful Bill" passed in 2025, which delivered broad tax cuts and deregulation.

Bessent's focus on stimulating investment, boosting production, and unleashing free enterprise through lower taxes and deregulation draws a direct line to the principles of "Reaganomics." The RNEF, now in its second year, was explicitly founded to apply that legacy to modern challenges. The inaugural 2025 forum convened leaders to discuss everything from AI's economic impact to the moral imperative of growth, setting the stage for this year's high-stakes discussions.

David Trulio, President and CEO of the foundation, emphasized this connection, stating, "President Reagan believed in the tremendous power of free enterprise, sound economic policy, and American innovation. RNEF draws on that vision as we address the most significant economic issues facing the country today."

Bessent's advocacy for an "America First" agenda, strategic tariffs, and initiatives like "Project Vault" to secure critical mineral supply chains will likely feature prominently in his remarks. These policies represent a modern interpretation of economic strength that the forum's attendees will be eager to dissect.

Navigating a Complex Economic Climate

Despite the administration's optimism, the economic landscape Secretary Bessent and other leaders will confront is fraught with complexity. The robust 2.0% GDP growth in the first quarter of 2026 is shadowed by persistent inflation, which remains stubbornly above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 3.3% in March, while the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, the Fed's preferred gauge, was 3.5%.

An energy shock in early 2026, triggered by conflict in the Middle East and the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, has pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel, fueling inflationary pressures and leading some economists to warn of a potential "stagflation-light" scenario of slowing growth and rising prices. This has shifted market expectations, with many now anticipating a potential Federal Reserve interest rate hike this year to cool the economy.

While Bessent has publicly dismissed the risk of a broad recession, he has acknowledged a "barbell economy," with strong financial sectors on one end and a struggling working class on the other. He has also noted that interest-rate-sensitive sectors like housing are effectively in a recession. These crosscurrents set the stage for a critical debate at the RNEF: how to sustain growth and expand opportunity while navigating significant global and domestic headwinds, including a federal debt projected to reach 120% of GDP by 2036.

An Influential Gathering of Power Brokers

The Reagan National Economic Forum is more than a series of panel discussions; it is one of the year's most significant invitation-only gatherings of economic and political power. The guest list for 2026 underscores its influence, placing Secretary Bessent alongside a who's who of American leadership.

From the financial world, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and Wells Fargo CEO Charlie W. Scharf are slated to attend. The technology and innovation sectors will be represented by figures like Niccolo de Masi, CEO of quantum computing firm IonQ, and Chris Power, founder of advanced manufacturing company Hadrian. They will be joined by retail giants like Ted Decker, CEO of The Home Depot, and influential voices from the policy world, including Business Roundtable President Kristen Silverberg.

The government contingent is equally robust, featuring congressional leaders like House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith and House Financial Services Chairman French Hill. Also confirmed are Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins, and a host of governors and senators.

This convergence of C-suite executives, cabinet secretaries, and thought leaders in the quiet, exclusive setting of the Reagan Library is designed to foster the kind of candid dialogue that can shape national policy and corporate strategy. The discussions that take place here, both on and off the stage, have the potential to build consensus and drive agendas in Washington and across corporate America for years to come. As these leaders gather under the sunny skies of Southern California, the ideas they debate will have far-reaching implications for the nation's economic trajectory as it prepares to mark a historic milestone.