Billionaire Elon Musk and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were reportedly involved in a physical altercation at the White House in April, according to The Washington Post.
The incident, revealed by longtime Trump advisor Steve Bannon, took place after a meeting in the Oval Office where President Donald Trump and senior officials discussed candidates for the leadership of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Musk and Bessent disagreed on who should take the role, with Trump ultimately siding with Bessent.
As the group exited the Oval Office, tensions flared between Musk and Bessent. Bannon claims Bessent taunted Musk about his unfulfilled promise to uncover a trillion dollars in government waste, calling him a “fraud.” Musk reportedly responded by punching Bessent in the chest “like a rugby player.” Bessent struck back, and the confrontation escalated until others intervened. Musk was eventually escorted out of the West Wing.
“President Trump found out and said: ‘That’s too much,’” Bannon recalled.
This private clash has since spilled into public view. On Thursday, President Trump claimed he would have won the election without Musk’s help and said he no longer wishes to engage with him.
In response, Musk posted several messages on X, arguing that Trump wouldn’t have won without his support and criticizing the administration’s budget bill for worsening the national deficit.
Trump replied that Musk had “lost it” and added, “he’s just gone crazy.” There are also reports suggesting Trump is now considering selling his Tesla stock.
