By Charles Switzer
2:29am PDT, Apr 25, 2025
Tension Between Musk and Bessent
A heated argument erupted between
Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and Treasury Secretary
Scott Bessent in the White House halls in April, according to sources familiar with the incident.
Axios reported how the altercation, which revolved around the IRS, escalated to the point where the two men were reportedly shouting at each other within earshot of President
Donald Trump. "Elon was shouting and rambling and Scott just wasn't putting up with it," one source close to the White House revealed.
Here's a rundown of everything that happened.
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The Conflict Over Reform Visions
The disagreement was not merely a personal spat but a clash of ideas regarding the future direction of reform.
According to a second source, the argument highlighted the fundamental differences in their visions. "Bessent has two mandates: reform and stabilize," they explained. "Elon has one mandate: break things in the process of reform."
The sources detailed how Elon Musk's aggressive approach to change seemed to clash with Scott Bessent's more measured strategy, reflecting a deeper divide in their professional approaches.
Lutnick's Role in the Disagreement
Commerce Secretary
Howard Lutnick was reportedly present during the argument and appeared to align himself with Elon Musk.
This detail, shared by one of the sources, suggests that there were significant divides not only between Musk and Scott Bessent but also within the broader team surrounding Donald Trump.
Therefore, the clash between the two key figures highlighted the administration's internal tension over how best to pursue reforms.
Musk's Public Feuds and Escalating Tensions
The Elon Musk-Scott Bessent altercation is just the latest in a series of public disputes Musk has had with top-level Donald Trump administration officials.
In a particularly notable instance, Musk publicly clashed with Peter Navarro, a senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, on X.
In response to Navarro's claim that Tesla was simply a "car assembler," Musk fired back, "Navarro is truly a moron. What he says here is demonstrably false. Tesla has the most American-made cars. Navarro is dumber than a sack of bricks."
White House's Response to the Disagreement
White House Press Secretary
Karoline Leavitt responded to questions about the incident, describing it as a normal part of the policy-making process.
"It's no secret President Trump has put together a team of people who are incredibly passionate about the issues impacting our country," she said. "Disagreements are a normal part of any healthy policy process," she concluded, emphasizing that all those involved understand they serve at the discretion of President Donald Trump.
Musk's Future Role in the Administration
The fallout from the altercation also sheds light on Elon Musk's shifting role within the administration.
While he will scale back his presence after May, when his appointment as a special government employee concludes, Musk indicated to Tesla shareholders that he would still be available to contribute one to two days a week on DOGE-related matters.
Despite his limited future involvement, Musk's presence within the administration has certainly been a subject of controversy and discussion throughout his tenure.
