Tech billionaire Elon Musk may declare he’ll quickly step again from Washington as Tesla gross sales nosedive, however there are numerous causes to eliminate him proper now, beginning together with his whole lack of professionalism.
In keeping with Axios, Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent obtained 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 ultimately 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 value noting, although, that Bessent is not a billionaire—only a run-of-the-mill multimillionaire.)
The near-brawl stemmed from a turf warfare over who ought to lead the IRS. Musk backed Gary Shapley, who was named appearing commissioner shortly earlier than the struggle. 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 total MO. He did the identical factor to Secretary of State Marco Rubio when he helped shutter the U.S. Company for Worldwide Growth, which is technically beneath Rubio’s jurisdiction.
When Bessent confronted Musk, the “F bombs started to fly,” one supply instructed Axios.
Bessent reportedly accused Musk of failing to satisfy even the essential 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 nearly brawled within the White Home, after which the small print 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 companies 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 incorrect, however saying that publicly about somebody he works with is wildly unprofessional.
Many federal officers have stopped taking Musk severely. The Washington Submit 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 of the coverage “voluntary,” based on the Submit.
As a substitute of acknowledging what’s apparent—that Musk’s grip on energy is slipping—the White Home provided 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 stated 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 solely one or two days per week beginning subsequent month, and his “special government employee” standing is set to run out quickly.
If he retains burning bridges on the way in which out, possibly the nation gained’t need to hold listening to from him commonly. We’re not holding our breath—however we will hope.
