Elon Musk Slams Bessent in Chaotic White House Clash

Elon Musks listens to members of the Cabinet as they give updates during a meeting, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in the Cabinet Room. Official White House Photo by Molly Riley. Public domain.

It started with a snub, turned into a shouting match, and ended with what insiders, according to the Daily Mail, are calling a "rugby tackle" in one of the most powerful corridors in the world.

In April 2025, amid a clash of egos and policy, Elon Musk allegedly charged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent outside the Oval Office — knocking over chairs and igniting what staffers described as a full-on hallway melee.

What exactly happened that day remains partially shrouded in leaks, quotes, and official silence.

But one thing is clear: this wasn't a debate — it was political theater that veered into violent farce.

'You're a Fraud' — The Words That Lit the Fuse

The drama allegedly erupted after a high-stakes Oval Office meeting where both men pitched rival plans for who should lead the Internal Revenue Service. President Trump reportedly sided with Bessent's pick, sidelining Musk and escalating existing tensions.

As they left the meeting, the argument spilled into the hallway. According to former White House strategist Steve Bannon, Bessent accused Musk of failing to deliver on his promise to cut $1 trillion in wasteful federal spending through his Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. According to the Daily Mail, Bessent reportedly said, "You're a fraud. You're a total fraud."

Allegedly, this triggered Musk. According to multiple accounts, Musk rammed his shoulder into Bessent's ribs, "like a rugby player," as reported by the New York Post. Bessent reportedly fought back, and the scuffle escalated until aides and staffers intervened.

Politics or Playground?

The optics were as surreal as they were chaotic. Billionaires and cabinet members exchanging blows a few feet from the Oval Office? It's the kind of behavior more expected in a schoolyard than the seat of executive power.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sought to play down the incident. According to the Times of India, she told reports, "I certainly wouldn't describe it as a fist fight," as reported by MSN. "It was definitely a disagreement... But again, we've moved on from that."

Despite attempts to downplay it, the fallout was immediate. Musk was escorted out of the West Wing. President Trump, apparently disappointed, was quoted as saying, "This is too much," as reported by the Daily Mail.

Musk's Decline From 'First Buddy' to Persona Non-Grata

The alleged physical clash capped off a rocky stretch for Musk in Washington. Once hailed as Trump's "first buddy," according to the Daily Mail, Musk has faced increasing criticism from within the administration, with reports of conflict with other key figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

Then, according to a bombshell report by The New York Times, there were the allegations of Musk's drug use, including ketamine and psychedelics, which supposedly affected his bladder function and raised questions about his behavior and reliability, as reported by the Daily Mail.

According to The Times of India, Steve Bannon added fuel to the fire, suggesting Musk had been "microdosing" the day of the fight, as reported by MSN — a detail Musk's team has neither confirmed nor denied.

When Ego Trumps Protocol

Whether it was testosterone, political frustration, or an accumulation of grievances, the Musk-Bessent brawl now lives in infamy. And while the White House insists it has moved on, the incident serves as a reminder that power doesn't always come with restraint.

References:Gory details of Elon Musk's 'rugby tackle' of Scott Bessent spill out as White House leaks escalate | Elon Musk body-checked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent 'like a rugby player' during fiery clash at White House: report | Elon's scuffle with Bessent: Steve Bannon says it was the day Musk was microdosing; 'If you lay hands on Scott...' | Musk Hit Rival 'Like a Rugby Player' During Unhinged White House Fight