Musk and Bessent clash in shouting match over IRS control

In the United States, a heated argument erupted in the White House between Elon Musk, a key advisor to President Donald Trump, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over the leadership of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The confrontation occurred last week in the West Wing, during a conversation about Trump’s decision to name Gary Shapley as acting IRS commissioner, a move that took Bessent by surprise as he had hoped to have his deputy, Michael Faulkender, appointed instead. Witnesses reported significant tension between both men, who were heard exchanging loud insults in the proximity of other officials, including President Trump. The altercation escalated to a level that required an aide to intervene physically to separate them. Witnesses likened the scene to a wrestling match, describing it as two powerful figures, both billionaires and middle-aged, acting as if they were in a WWE event. It was noted that Bessent shouted expletives at Musk, who provocatively encouraged Bessent to express his sentiments more loudly. This confrontation is not an isolated incident but rather a culmination of ongoing tensions between Musk and Bessent that have existed since the presidential transition period. Musk has previously pushed for appointments to key positions in the Treasury Department that were not realized, leading to further friction over policy decisions and personnel choices. The aftermath of this incident saw Bessent able to assert control, leading to Shapley’s replacement by Faulkender shortly thereafter. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, downplayed the incident, highlighting that disagreements in policy discussions are normal and represent a healthy debate process. However, the intensity of the shouting match reflects deeper conflicts regarding control over the IRS and broader disagreements on governmental efficiency and reforms. As President Trump retains the ultimate decision-making power, the divergent approaches from Musk and Bessent may continue to create friction as they both serve on his team, illustrating the complexities and challenges involved in governance.