West Wing Showdown: Elon Musk Clashes with Treasury Secretary Over IRS Leadership Pick

Tensions erupted inside the White House this week as Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly engaged in a fiery confrontation over the next acting head of the IRS. The dispute, which sources say involved raised voices and explicit language, took place in the West Wing and drew the attention of senior staff and aides.

At the heart of the clash: Musk’s push to install Gary Shapley—the former IRS agent turned Biden whistleblower—as the acting IRS Commissioner. Musk bypassed Treasury Secretary Bessent to take the idea directly to President Trump, who is said to be weighing his options.

Bessent, who oversees the IRS as part of his Treasury role, had his own candidate in mind: his deputy, Michael Faulkender, to serve temporarily until Trump’s formal nominee, Billy Long, receives Senate confirmation.

Eyewitnesses described the argument as "intense," with one aide stepping in to calm the situation. Musk allegedly accused Bessent of being a “Soros puppet,” a jab at Bessent’s past roles at Soros Fund Management and Key Square Group—fueling conspiracy-laden rhetoric often associated with the billionaire philanthropist.

In turn, Bessent has publicly criticized Musk’s high-profile cost-cutting measures at federal agencies, calling them “performative” and lacking tangible outcomes.

While the White House confirmed the dispute took place, officials downplayed the tension, stating that strong disagreements are common in high-stakes policy discussions. "Everyone in this administration serves at the pleasure of the President," a spokesperson said.

As Trump weighs his decision, insiders say the power struggle could signal deeper divisions within his inner circle over the future direction of federal agencies—and who really pulls the strings.

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