Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were involved in a heated argument last Thursday at the White House, which escalated into a shouting match in front of President Donald Trump. The intense exchange between the two billionaires has raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about the underlying causes of the dispute.
The Details of the Argument
The argument reportedly began when Musk and Bessent clashed over the appointment of the acting commissioner of the IRS. Bessent had backed Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender for the position, while Musk supported Gary Shapley. The tension between the two men came to a head during a meeting at the White House, where Bessent confronted Musk about going behind his back to secure Shapley’s appointment.
A Witness Describes the Scene
According to witnesses, the argument was “quite a scene” and very loud, with one witness describing it as “two billionaire, middle-aged men thinking it was WWE in the hall of the West Wing.” The exchange allegedly involved the use of strong language, with “the F bombs starting to fly” as the argument escalated.
The Causes of the Dispute
The disagreement between Musk and Bessent appears to be centered around issues of control and influence. Bessent had accused Musk of overpromising and underdelivering on budget cuts with DOGE, while Musk retaliated by accusing Bessent of running a “failed hedge fund” and calling him a “Soros agent.” An administration official familiar with the disagreement described the argument as being “about control” rather than a matter of right or wrong.
The Aftermath of the Argument
In the end, Bessent emerged victorious, with Faulkender being appointed as the acting commissioner of the IRS. The incident has also had an impact on Musk’s involvement with DOGE, with the CEO announcing that he would be spending “significantly” less time on the project beginning next month. While the exact reasons for this decision are unclear, Tesla investors have reacted positively to the news, suggesting that they believe Musk’s reduced involvement in politics will be beneficial for the company.
What’s Next for Musk and Tesla?
As the dust settles on the argument between Musk and Bessent, attention is turning to what the future holds for the CEO and his company. With Musk set to spend less time on DOGE, investors will be watching to see how this affects Tesla’s performance and prospects. One thing is certain, however: the heated exchange between Musk and Bessent has provided a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of the White House and the personalities that shape its policies.