Musk and US Treasury Secretary clash in White House over IRS pick — Axios

Elon Musk and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent engaged in a heated argument at the White House over a key government appointment, Axios reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The dispute, which reportedly took place in front of President Donald Trump, centered on rival candidates for the leadership of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Musk backed Gary Shapley, while Bessent supported his deputy, Michael Faulkender.

“It looked like a WWE match in the West Wing hallway,” one witness told Axios, describing the confrontation between “two middle-aged billionaires.”

Although there was no physical contact in the Oval Office, the two men reportedly continued their shouting match in the hallway, where witnesses said profanity was exchanged.

Bessent reportedly criticized Musk for failing to deliver on promised budget savings through DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk responded by calling Bessent “a Soros agent.”

A White House aide was forced to intervene and separate the two, Axios said.

According to the outlet, Bessent ultimately won the round, as his preferred candidate was appointed to head the IRS. “But I wouldn’t want a guy like Musk as an enemy,” one source added.

Musk previously called senior presidential adviser Peter Navarro “a real moron” in a post on social media platform X.