A confrontation involving tech billionaire Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent erupted in the West Wing, creating a scene witnesses likened to a “WWE-style” shouting match. This incident underscores rising tensions within President Donald Trump’s economic team.
The dispute took place near the Oval Office while President Trump and other administration officials were nearby. The argument revolved around the leadership of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and was described by one source as “two billionaire, middle-aged men thinking it was WWE in the hall of the West Wing.”
“The F bombs started to fly,” according to a witness of the incident. The situation escalated to the point where an aide had to intervene to separate the two men.
At the core of the conflict was control over IRS leadership. Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), advocated for Gary Shapley, a former IRS agent known for leaking information about Hunter Biden’s taxes, to be the acting IRS commissioner. Bessent opposed this choice and preferred his deputy, Michael Faulkender, for the role.
During the dispute, Bessent criticized Musk’s DOGE initiative for not achieving promised budget cuts, while Musk labeled Bessent a “Soros agent” and derided his management of “a failed hedge fund.”
The clash highlights differing approaches to government reform. Sources close to both men indicate Bessent aims for reform and stabilization of government institutions, whereas Musk supports a more aggressive strategy, described by some insiders as being willing to “break things in the process of reform.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt minimized the incident when questioned by reporters. “It’s no secret President Trump has put together a team of people who are incredibly passionate about the issues impacting our country,” Leavitt stated. She also noted that “disagreements are a normal part of any healthy policy process,” without addressing specifics of the confrontation.
The tensions seem to extend beyond the IRS appointment, with disagreements between Musk and Bessent reportedly dating back to the presidential transition. Musk had unsuccessfully lobbied for Howard Lutnick to be appointed Treasury Secretary instead of Bessent.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, present during the confrontation, reportedly aligned with Musk in the exchange.
In the aftermath, President Trump sided with Bessent, removing Shapley three days after his appointment and installing Faulkender as Bessent’s preferred candidate. However, insiders believe the power struggle between these two influential figures is ongoing.
This is not Musk’s first disagreement with senior Trump administration officials. Previously, he had public disputes with other Cabinet members, including reportedly calling senior counselor for trade and manufacturing Peter Navarro a “moron.”
The public nature of these disagreements raises questions about the administration’s internal dynamics, though the White House maintains that such passionate debates ultimately strengthen policy outcomes.
Musk’s role within the administration appears to be evolving. He recently announced plans to scale back his involvement with DOGE to focus more on his companies, including Tesla. Musk stated he intends to reduce his government work to “one or two days per week” after May, when his appointment as a special government employee ends.
Despite these internal conflicts, President Trump continues to support Musk’s involvement in the administration, valuing his business experience and external perspective.
The incident highlights the challenges of integrating unconventional figures like Musk into traditional government structures. While his disruptive approach appeals to those seeking radical government reform, it creates tension with career officials and other appointees who prefer institutional stability.
As the administration moves forward, balancing these competing visions for government reform—especially for an agency as vital as the IRS—will likely remain a contentious issue.
For now, Bessent appears to have prevailed in this round of the power struggle, with his preferred candidate securing the acting IRS commissioner role. However, with months remaining in Musk’s government role, albeit in a reduced capacity, further clashes cannot be ruled out.
The Treasury Department and Musk’s representatives have not provided additional comments on the incident beyond the White House’s official statement praising “healthy debate” among administration officials.