Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had a heated argument at the White House after Elon Musk outmaneuvered Scott Bessent to convince President Trump to appoint Gary Shapley (former IRS agent and whistleblower on issues related to the Biden family) as acting IRS commissioner. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Bessent, who also manages the IRS, wanted his deputy Michael Faulkender to take this position until Trump's official nominee Billy Long is approved by the Senate.

The argument escalated in the West Wing, with witnesses describing loud shouting and profanity. A White House aide even had to intervene.

Musk is reported to have accused Scott Bessent of being "Soros' henchman," referring to Bessent's ties to Key Square Group after previously working at Soros Fund Management and being associated with a popular Jewish conspiracy theory suggesting that investor George Soros orchestrates left-wing political activities in the U.S.

Scott Bessent criticized Elon Musk's cost-cutting efforts as mere empty talk, lacking tangible results.

The White House acknowledged that this incident occurred but stated that disagreements are a normal part of the policy-making process, while affirming that all personnel serve at the discretion of President Trump.