Who Is Scott Bessent? Trump Trade Aide Who Traded Blows With Elon Musk Inside Oval Office
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Scott worked in global finance for many years before making his debut in politics, holding senior positions in several well-known firms.
A physical altercation broke out between Elon Musk and Scott Bessent in the White House, an incident that reportedly took place in mid-April.
According to the Washington Post, a heated argument broke out between Elon Musk and Scott Bessent following a mid-April meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
After a disagreement between them over their preferred candidate for acting IRS commissioner, the argument escalated into a shouting match in the hallway outside the Oval Office, where the two men traded personal insults and engaged in a verbal brawl.
After the meeting, Bessent reportedly accused Musk of being a 'total fraud," claiming he had failed to follow through on promised spending cuts.
In response, Musk allegedly reacted physically—delivering a hard shoulder bump to Bessent's ribcage, described by witnesses as similar to a rugby tackle. The situation quickly escalated into a brief scuffle that had to be broken up by people nearby.
Musk was reportedly escorted out of the West Wing following the incident.
Who Is Scott Bessent?
– Scott Bessent made history by becoming the first openly gay person to lead the US Treasury Department.
– He is also the first openly LGBTQ+ Cabinet member confirmed by the Senate under a Republican president.
– Scott completed his studies at Yale University, one of the top universities in the U.S.
– He worked in global finance for many years before making his debut in politics, holding senior positions in several well-known firms.
– He also aligns with Trump's economic policies, like reducing regulations, cutting taxes, and applying tariffs to key trade rivals.
– He was nominated on November 22, with Trump praising him as someone who believes in the 'America First" approach.
Elon Musk And Scott Bessent's Relationship
Elon Musk, who was chosen to help reform the government, has criticised Bessent, saying he represents the old way of doing things. Musk also warned that continuing with traditional choices could harm the country's economy, and called for a different direction.
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First Published:
June 08, 2025, 17:16 IST
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