Trump Renews Push for Physical Fort Knox Audit After $40M Gold Arrest

President Trump on June 2 escalated demands for a physical audit of Fort Knox following the May 19 arrest of ex-CIA official David Rush, who was found with over 300 gold bars worth $40 million. Treasury Secretary Bessent on May 31 rejected the calls, insisting internal checks confirm holdings are accounted for. Spot gold trades near $4,500 per ounce, valuing Fort Knox’s 147.3 million ounces at roughly $667 billion against an $11 billion book value. The episode has revived transparency concerns over reserves last externally audited in 1974, though officials cite recent OIG reports showing no material issues.