Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon has revealed that a physical altercation occurred between Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a heated discussion at the White House. The incident unfolded as Bessent confronted Musk about discrepancies in government spending cuts Musk had promised—asserting that Musk had pledged $1 trillion in cuts but had only delivered $100 billion.
Tensions escalated, leading to a physical confrontation where Musk reportedly shoved Bessent after the latter yelled insults at him. Witnesses described the scene as reminiscent of a wrestling match, with the clash transitioning from the Oval Office to other areas within the White House, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles’ office and the National Security Advisor’s office.
The White House confirmed that the fight took place in April, coinciding with Musk’s last day as a special advisor to Trump. Bannon indicated that disagreements among Trump’s team are common, particularly given the passionate nature of its members. Following the altercation, Trump reportedly backed Bessent’s stance.
Around the same period, media reports highlighted that Musk had been involved in substance use during his time with the campaign, complicating his relationship with the administration. Musk has since expressed mixed feelings toward Trump’s team, indicating that while he supports some of their work, he has reservations about certain actions taken by the administration.
The incident underscores the high-pressure environment of political advisory roles and the challenges of reconciling personal and professional beliefs within a tumultuous political landscape.