Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Physical Altercation at White House Amid Growing Rift with Trump

New details have emerged about the White House brawl that happened in April between Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

A dramatic confrontation between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent erupted into a physical altercation in the White House, with new details revealing Musk allegedly rammed his shoulder into Bessent’s ribs “like a rugby player.” The clash followed a tense Oval Office meeting in mid-April that signaled a growing divide between Musk and former President Donald Trump.

According to sources familiar with the incident, the argument began after Trump reportedly rejected Musk’s advice and instead chose to follow Bessent’s recommendation in naming an acting IRS Commissioner. The tension between Musk and Bessent escalated as they left the Oval Office, exchanging heated words in the West Wing hallway.

Bessent's comment about Musk failing to deliver DOGE cuts at the magnitude he promised got the Tesla CEO to strike Bessent, who hit back, according to Steve Bannon

Bessent is said to have provoked Musk by calling his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative a failure, citing Musk’s inability to eliminate the $1 trillion in federal waste he had vowed to root out. “You’re a fraud. You’re a total fraud,” Bessent reportedly said before Musk body-checked him. Bessent retaliated with a punch before aides intervened near the office of then-National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.

Musk was subsequently escorted out of the West Wing. While Trump was reportedly upset by the scuffle, he ultimately sided with Bessent, marking a turning point in his relationship with Musk.

Sources close to the billionaire blew the whistle on his poor relationship with Susie Wiles , Trump's no-nonsense chief of staff, who Musk treated like a 'secretary'

The fallout from the altercation has only intensified scrutiny of Musk’s standing within Trump’s inner circle. Once described as Trump’s "first buddy" after contributing $288 million to his 2024 campaign, Musk has seen his influence wane in recent months. Insiders have pointed to his deteriorating relationships with top Trump aides, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, whom Musk allegedly treated dismissively.

This confrontation adds to a string of behind-the-scenes clashes. In early March, Musk reportedly confronted Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the pace of layoffs at the State Department. Sources say Musk, overseeing DOGE reforms, berated Rubio for not firing enough personnel, prompting a sarcastic response from the Secretary.

In March, it was reported that Musk blew up at Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a cabinet meeting for not cutting enough employees

Concerns about Musk’s erratic behavior have also surfaced. Reports claim his alleged drug use—including ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms—was impacting his health and decision-making. Sources described him traveling with a pill organizer containing over 20 different substances, including Adderall.

Despite mounting tensions, Trump had continued to show public support for Musk as recently as May 30, praising his DOGE initiative and presenting him with a symbolic golden key to the White House. But that goodwill quickly evaporated after Musk openly criticized Trump’s signature “Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping budget and tax measure.

As recently as May 30, Trump was repeatedly praising Musk for his DOGE efforts during a press conference in the Oval Office, even presenting him a golden key to the White House

“This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,” Musk posted on X. “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong.”

Trump responded with disappointment and threatened to cut off federal subsidies to Musk’s companies, which have received over $38 billion in government support over two decades. When asked about the possibility aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “I would certainly think about it, but it has to be fair.”

On Thursday, Trump threatened to cut off billions in government contracts to Musk's companies. He doubled down on Friday aboard Air Force One (pictured)

In an apparent attempt to deescalate, Musk later replied, “Fair enough,” and deleted an earlier post linking Trump to the Epstein files. Nevertheless, the former president made it clear on Saturday that he has no plans to reconcile. “I have no intention of speaking to him. I’m too busy doing other things,” Trump told NBC in a phone interview.

The incident underscores deepening fractures within Trump’s political and advisory ecosystem and signals an uncertain future for Musk’s influence in Washington.