Elon Musk reportedly body-checked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the White House in a heated confrontation over IRS leadership, creating a rift that may permanently damage his relationship with President Trump.
Key Takeaways
- Elon Musk allegedly rammed his shoulder into Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a heated dispute over IRS leadership appointments
- The confrontation occurred after President Trump sided with Bessent’s choice for IRS commissioner, against Musk’s preferred candidate
- Tensions had been building between Musk and the Trump administration, escalating after Trump revoked a NASA nomination supported by Musk
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed the incident as a disagreement rather than a physical altercation
- Insiders suggest the relationship between Trump and Musk may be irreparably damaged following the confrontation
Physical Confrontation at the White House
The tension between Elon Musk and the Trump administration reached a boiling point during a White House meeting focused on selecting the next IRS commissioner. According to multiple sources, Musk physically confronted Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in what former Trump strategist Steve Bannon described as a move “like a rugby player.” The altercation reportedly occurred after President Trump sided with Bessent’s candidate for the IRS position over Musk’s preference, prompting an angry response from the tech billionaire that included physically ramming his shoulder into Bessent’s rib cage.
The confrontation allegedly escalated when Bessent mocked Musk’s unfulfilled pledge to uncover government waste and fraud. Multiple individuals had to intervene to separate the two men, and Musk was subsequently escorted out of the West Wing. President Trump, witnessing the incident, reportedly declared, “This is too much,” signaling his disapproval of the physical altercation. Adding to the drama, Musk later appeared with a black eye, initially claiming it resulted from roughhousing with his son, though reports suggest it may have been connected to the altercation with Bessent.
— Bennetta Elliott (@belliott123) May 25, 2025
Deteriorating Relationship Between Trump and Musk
The physical confrontation represents the culmination of a rapidly deteriorating relationship between President Trump and Elon Musk. Tensions had been building for some time, with disagreements over financial strategies, including what Musk criticized as a “pork-filled” and “disgusting abomination” of a spending bill. The relationship took a decisive turn for the worse when Trump decided not to nominate Jared Isaacman for NASA administrator, despite Musk’s strong advocacy for the appointment. This rejection appears to have been the catalyst for Musk’s public criticism of the president.
“It’ll never be the same,” stated a White House insider regarding the relationship between Trump and Musk. “The president already felt Elon was getting too much,” the source added, explaining that Trump had previously instructed insiders, including Vice President JD Vance, to exercise caution in their dealings with the tech entrepreneur. The confrontation with Bessent appears to have been the final straw, with Trump reportedly calling Musk a “big-time drug addict” in private conversations.
White House Response and Damage Control
The White House has attempted to downplay the severity of the incident. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed reports of the altercation by characterizing it as a disagreement rather than a physical fight. “There was no fistfight at the White House,” Leavitt stated, focusing instead on the administration’s commitment to passing legislation and working for the American people. This approach suggests an effort to minimize political fallout from the confrontation while maintaining focus on policy priorities.
“Like a rugby player,” Steve Bannon described Musk’s confrontational move against Treasury Secretary Bessent, highlighting the aggressive nature of the interaction that has now placed Musk’s relationship with the administration in jeopardy.
Following the confrontation, Musk has reportedly decided to withdraw from Washington DC to focus on his companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and X. The billionaire has deleted some of his more inflammatory posts criticizing the president, suggesting a possible attempt to de-escalate the situation. However, sources close to the administration indicate that the damage may be irreparable, with Trump’s trust in Musk severely compromised by both the physical altercation and Musk’s subsequent public criticism on social media.
