Scott Bessent Clashes with Elon Musk in White House Over DOGE Cuts
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Elon Musk had a physical altercation over budget cuts, leading to Musk's exit from the Trump administration.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and tech billionaire Elon Musk engaged in a heated confrontation at the White House, which escalated into a physical altercation, according to sources close to the Trump administration. The clash reportedly stemmed from Musk's failure to deliver on promised budget cuts through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Steve Bannon, former Trump strategist, revealed that Bessent confronted Musk over unfulfilled pledges to slash federal spending by $1 trillion. Musk, who led DOGE, had only achieved $100 billion in cuts, prompting Bessent to demand answers. The argument turned physical, with Musk allegedly shoving the 62-year-old Treasury Secretary.
The altercation occurred near the Oval Office and was witnessed by multiple officials. President Trump reportedly sided with Bessent, further isolating Musk within the administration.
Musk's tenure at DOGE was marked by controversy, including drastic job cuts and privacy violations. His aggressive cost-cutting measures led to public backlash and declining approval ratings. Following the clash with Bessent, Musk announced his departure from the White House, citing the end of his five-month role.
Despite public praise from Bessent on social media, tensions between the two remained high. Earlier reports indicated shouting matches over IRS appointments, with Bessent ultimately prevailing in installing his preferred candidate.
Trump downplayed the incident, emphasizing that disagreements are normal in governance. However, Musk's influence in the administration waned, particularly after the cancellation of a classified China briefing.
The clash highlights the challenges of merging Silicon Valley disruptiveness with traditional government operations. As Musk returns to focus on Tesla and SpaceX, Bessent continues leading Treasury efforts, including international economic negotiations.
