Stopped from fighting during meeting with Trump: “Scream”

Elon Musk

Stopped from fighting during meeting with Trump: “Scream”

Johan Edgar

Published 00.15

Chaos began in the Oval Office. Photo: Alex Brandon / AP

A staff member stopped the two men from flying at each other.

The commotion began in front of Donald Trump in the Oval Office and continued into the hall.

– It was quite a scene, says a source.

Quick version

• A loud brawl broke out between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Elon Musk in the Oval Office, caused by a conflict over the appointment of the head of the IRS.
• An staff member was forced to intervene to prevent a physical confrontation between the two businessmen after swearing and insults were exchanged.
• The fight resulted in Bessent's nominee, Michael Faulkender, being named acting IRS commissioner, a victory for Bessent.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Elon Musk stood and shouted profanities in each other's faces.

The insults rained down as they began arguing in the Oval Office and continued in the hallway outside.

Forced to step in

Eventually, it reportedly got so heated that an employee stepped in and stood between the two powerful men to avoid a fight.

- It was two middle-aged billionaires who thought it was wrestling, a source told Axios, who is now revealing details about the chaos on Thursday last week.

Elon Musk at a previous meeting in the White House. Photo: AP

The huge argument during the meeting with Donald Trump was about who would get the position of acting head of the federal tax agency IRS, writes Axios, citing a number of sources who witnessed the tumult in the White House.

The origin of the conflict was Trump's decision to put Musk's candidate Gary Shapley in the position of head of the tax agency.

Furious at Musk

This despite the fact that Treasury Secretary Bessent had another favorite and is the boss of the person who leads the agency.

"Scott Bessent can't stand Musk," a source tells Axios. Photo: Evan Vucci / AP

According to Axios, Bessent is said to have tried to convince Trump that his candidate Michael Faulkender was a better choice, while at the same time being furious that Musk had gone behind his back.

- The swearing was pouring out, a source tells the site.

The Treasury Secretary accused Musk of overpromising and underdelivering in his work with the Department of Efficiency Doge.

Musk countered by calling Bessent a “Soros agent,” referring to the financier George Soros, who is loathed in Republican circles, and accused him of running a “failed hedge fund.”

“A real scene”

“They weren’t physical in the Oval Office, but the president saw it and then they continued out into the hallway. That’s when they did it again,” a source told Axios.

“It was a real scene. It was loud. And I mean loud,” another source said.

The conflict between Trump’s senior aides is said to be about more than just an appointment.

“Scott can’t stand Musk. It’s pretty deep and it’s been going on for a long time. But he’s handling it maturely,” a Treasury Secretary aide told Axios.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Says Trump Has Brought Together “People Who Are Incredibly Passionate” Photo: Alex Brandon / AP

Bessent Won the Round

The White House uproar ended with a victory for Scott Bessent, however.

The day after the brawl, it was announced that his candidate Faulkender would replace the recently appointed Shapley as acting head of the IRS.

– Scott won that round. But I wouldn’t want a guy like Musk as an enemy, a source told the news site.

The White House would not comment on the specifics of the brawl in the Oval Office.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios that “it’s no secret that President Trump has assembled a group of people who are incredibly passionate about the issues that are important to the country.”