Billionaire and DOGE head Elon Musk had a quarrel in the White House with US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. The conflict was witnessed by President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
This is reported by Axios with reference to witnesses to the quarrel.
The officials quarreled over the head of the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Gary Shapley. He recently took up this position. Before that, Musk supported his candidacy. Bessent believed that his deputy Michael Faulkender would be more effective in this position. When Trump did not prefer Bessent's candidate, Bessent became angry that Musk was acting "behind his back." During a personal meeting, Bessent expressed his claims to Musk's face.
Bessent publicly rebuked Musk for promising too much but delivering too little, and for failing to cut spending as Musk had planned for his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
In response, Musk called Bessent a “Soros agent” and accused him of running a “failed hedge fund.” At one point, the Secretary of the Treasury allegedly shouted at Musk, “F*** you,” and Musk replied, “Say it louder.”
Witnesses to the quarrel had to step between the officials to separate them.
All of this took place in full view of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was visiting the White House that day, and U.S. President Donald Trump.
“These were two middle-aged billionaires who thought they were in WWE right in the hallway of the West Wing [of the White House],” one witness described the quarrel.
The media claim that the very next day after the scandal, Musk's candidate for the position of head of the IRS was removed, and instead, Bessent’s deputy Faulkender was appointed.
Recall that, amid the fall in Tesla shares, billionaire Elon Musk decided to devote less time to the Department of Government Efficiency and focus on his own business.
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