New details have emerged about a stunning physical altercation that reportedly took place at the White House between Elon Musk and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, escalating the already volatile relationship between Musk and President Donald Trump.
According to a Washington Post investigation published on June 8, the incident occurred in mid-April, just outside the Oval Office, following a heated disagreement over Trump’s selection for the next IRS Commissioner.
Sources familiar with the matter claim that Musk, enraged that Trump overruled his preferred candidate in favor of Besant’s recommendation, confronted the Treasury Secretary after a tense Oval Office meeting.
As they exited the room, Besant reportedly muttered, “You’re a complete fraud,” prompting Musk to strike him in the ribs. Besant allegedly retaliated, and staffers nearby were forced to break up the scuffle.
President Trump, briefed about the incident shortly afterward, was reportedly furious. “This is already too much,” he reportedly said, according to officials close to the situation.
The Breaking Point in Trump–Musk Relations
This altercation marks a new low in the rapidly deteriorating relationship between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, two figures who once praised each other in public. In recent weeks, their feud has played out very publicly—on social media, in policy clashes, and behind closed doors.
Earlier reports revealed that Trump accused Musk of political betrayal and threatened to strip federal contracts from companies under Musk’s control. In response, Musk accused the President of being entangled in scandals involving convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, further souring their once-cooperative rapport.
The IRS Flashpoint
The catalyst for this Oval Office incident was Trump’s decision to side with Scott Besant in nominating a new IRS Chairperson. Musk had backed a different candidate, reportedly someone with a more libertarian stance on taxation and crypto regulation. Trump’s dismissal of Musk’s pick was seen as a personal affront, adding to a string of disagreements between the two men on space policy, AI regulation, and climate strategy.
White House Tensions Running High
Sources say White House morale has taken a hit in recent weeks, with multiple senior officials privately voicing concerns about the President’s increasing frustration with high-profile allies turning critics.
One insider described Trump as being in a “depressed and isolated state” in the days following the Musk-Besant incident, unsure of who within his circle could be trusted.
The White House has not commented publicly on the altercation. Musk, known for his explosive online persona, has also remained silent so far—though insiders suggest more may surface if tensions continue to escalate.
