Tech billionaire Elon Musk would possibly declare he’ll quickly step again from Washington as Tesla gross sales nosedive, however there are a lot of causes to do away with him proper now, beginning together with his whole lack of professionalism.
In response to Axios, Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent received right into a full-blown screaming match within the Oval Workplace, inside earshot of President Donald Trump. The 2 reportedly continued their argument within the hallway, the place they have been finally separated like center schoolers.
“It was quite a scene. It was loud. And I mean, loud,” one witness instructed Axios.
One other described it as “two billionaire, middle-aged men thinking it was WWE in the hall of the West Wing.” (It’s price noting, although, that Bessent will not be a billionaire—only a run-of-the-mill multimillionaire.)
The near-brawl stemmed from a turf conflict over who ought to lead the IRS. Musk backed Gary Shapley, who was named performing commissioner shortly earlier than the combat. Bessent needed his deputy, Michael Faulkender, to take the function and accused Musk of going over his head to get his method. Which, let’s be sincere, is Musk’s complete MO. He did the identical factor to Secretary of State Marco Rubio when he helped shutter the U.S. Company for Worldwide Improvement, which is technically beneath Rubio’s jurisdiction.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, left, talks to 2 different Trump administration officers exterior the White Home on March 28.
When Bessent confronted Musk, the “F bombs started to fly,” one supply instructed Axios.
Bessent reportedly accused Musk of failing to satisfy even the fundamental expectations on the Division of Authorities Effectivity, which Musk leads. Musk, in flip, referred to as Bessent a “Soros agent” who ran a “failed hedge fund.”
To be clear, these two have been by no means precisely allies. Musk had opposed Bessent’s nomination to guide the Treasury Division and lobbied for Howard Lutnick, now the commerce secretary, to get the submit.
Nonetheless, this newest blowup is flat-out embarrassing. Two grown males virtually brawled within the White Home, after which the main points leaked to the press inside days. Discuss dysfunction.
And dysfunction appears par for the course with Musk, who has clashed with a number of Cupboard members, together with Rubio and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Each have accused Musk of abusing his energy at DOGE and interfering in businesses they oversee. Simply final month, Musk referred to as White Home commerce adviser Peter Navarro a “moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks.” He is probably not flawed, however saying that publicly about somebody he works with is wildly unprofessional.
Many federal officers have stopped taking Musk significantly. The Washington Put up reported that prime human useful resource officers throughout the federal government largely ignored Musk’s demand that federal staff ship in 5 weekly accomplishments or be fired. The Workplace of Personnel Administration thought-about the coverage “voluntary,” in accordance with the Put up.
As a substitute of acknowledging what’s apparent—that Musk’s grip on energy is slipping—the White Home supplied one other drained “boys will be boys” excuse.
“It’s no secret President Trump has put together a team of people who are incredibly passionate about the issues impacting our country,” White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned concerning the Musk-Bessent spat. “Disagreements are a normal part of any healthy policy process. … Ultimately, everyone knows they serve at the pleasure of President Trump.”
Bessent appears to have gained this spherical. Simply days after being tapped, Shapley was out and changed by—who else?—Faulkender.
It’s clear that Musk’s affect within the White Home is waning. Although he isn’t identified for honesty, Musk claims he’ll work for DOGE just one or two days per week beginning subsequent month, and his “special government employee” standing is ready to run out quickly.
If he retains burning bridges on the way in which out, possibly the nation gained’t should preserve listening to from him usually. We’re not holding our breath—however we will hope.
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