U.S. media quoted Bannon's revelation: Musk and the U.S. Treasury Secretary had a physical altercation in the White House corridor, leading to a violent confrontation.
According to a report by the Washington Post on June 7, former political advisor to President Trump, Steve Bannon, recently revealed that in mid-April this year, U.S. Treasury Secretary Bencet and billionaire Musk, who was then leading the government efficiency department, had a fierce argument outside the Oval Office, even coming to blows and engaging in a violent physical confrontation. The dispute was sparked by disagreements over the selection of the IRS acting director, with Trump ultimately supporting Bencet's candidate.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bencet and Musk, puzzle Source: U.S. media
Reports quoted Bannon as saying that after Bencet and Musk left the Oval Office, the two had a heated argument in the corridor and insulted each other. Bencet directly accused Musk of being a 'complete liar' and claimed he had failed to fulfill his duties. An emotional Musk then 'charged like a football player' and shoulder-barged Bencet in the chest, to which Bencet immediately retaliated.
This physical conflict continued until both sides were wrestled to the front of the National Security Advisor's office, where staff intervened, and Musk was subsequently removed from the West Wing of the White House. The Washington Post reported that Trump, upon learning of the incident, said, 'This is too much.'
The media had previously reported on the conflict between Musk and Bencet. According to a report by Axios on April 23, two witnesses and three insiders disclosed to the media that Musk, head of the government efficiency department, and Treasury Secretary Bencet had a fierce argument over IRS-related issues in the White House on April 17, even using profanity, and that President Trump and visiting Italian Prime Minister Meloni could hear them at the time.
Axios also reported that during the presidential power transition following Trump's re-election, the relationship between Musk and Bencet was not good from the start. Musk had strongly suggested that Trump appoint Lutnik as Treasury Secretary, but Trump ultimately chose Bencet and appointed Lutnik as Secretary of Commerce. After Trump officially took office, the two clashed again over personnel hiring at the Treasury.