Report: Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Clash at White House Over IRS Appointment
Tensions between Elon Musk and the Trump administration reportedly escalated earlier this year during a heated encounter in the White House, according to The Washington Post, which cited former Trump adviser Steve Bannon.
The incident allegedly took place in April inside the West Wing, where Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had been meeting with President Trump to discuss their preferred candidate for acting IRS commissioner. After Trump ultimately sided with Bessent, the two men exited the Oval Office and reportedly exchanged words. According to Bannon, the situation turned physical when Musk allegedly shoulder-checked Bessent, who responded by striking back.
While Bannon did not witness the altercation himself, he told the Post that the details were relayed to him by individuals familiar with the event.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the report during an appearance on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. Leavitt downplayed the confrontation, emphasizing that it was more of a disagreement than a physical fight.
“I certainly wouldn’t describe it as a fistfight,” Leavitt said. “It was definitely a disagreement. Although I wasn’t there and didn’t see it personally, I heard about it through secondhand reporting. That said, the president has moved on, and the administration is now focused on getting the Big Beautiful Bill passed.”
Sources close to Musk say he has grown increasingly frustrated with the Trump administration, particularly after the president pulled the nomination of Musk ally and Democratic donor Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. Musk has also voiced strong opposition to the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” criticizing it for failing to address the federal deficit and excluding incentives for electric vehicles.
The bill has sparked division within Republican ranks as well. Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Rand Paul (R-KY) have expressed reservations, declining to offer their support.
Musk has not held back. In a post on X last week, he condemned the bill as a “pork-filled, disgusting abomination,” writing:
“Shame on those who voted for it — you know you did wrong. You know it.”
With input from Fox News
