In a stunning revelation this week, Steve Bannon—former Trump strategist and host of War Room—claimed that Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were involved in a physical altercation inside the White House, allegedly over control of the Internal Revenue Service.
According to Bannon’s account, the clash occurred in mid-April, shortly after both men left a heated Oval Office meeting with President Trump regarding who should serve as Acting IRS Commissioner. The altercation reportedly escalated into a shoving match that required staff intervention to break up.
The Backdrop: IRS Control and the Shapley Controversy
At the center of the dispute is Gary Shapley, the Hunter Biden whistleblower who exposed political interference in the Biden tax fraud investigation. After the resignation of IRS Commissioner Melanie Krause over her controversial data-sharing arrangement with ICE, Shapley was named acting commissioner—allegedly at Musk’s request, according to Bannon.
Bessent, reportedly blindsided by the move, raised objections directly with President Trump. The New York Times confirmed that Bessent told Trump that Shapley’s placement occurred without his consent or involvement, escalating tensions behind the scenes.
Bannon’s Blow-by-Blow Account
Bannon described the scene in vivid detail:
“Scott said, ‘You’re a fraud. You’re a total fraud.’”
In response, Musk allegedly rammed his shoulder into Bessent’s ribs “like a rugby player”, prompting Bessent to hit back. The scuffle reportedly spilled into the hallway near the national security adviser’s office, where multiple staffers had to pull the men apart and escort Musk out of the West Wing.
“President Trump heard about it and said, ‘This is too much,’” Bannon added.
White House Downplays the Drama
When contacted for comment, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt didn’t deny tensions but sought to frame the dispute as part of a healthy policy process:
“Disagreements are a normal part of any healthy policy process… Everyone knows they serve at the pleasure of President Trump.”
However, the administration has not addressed Bannon’s claim of a physical fight between two of the most prominent figures in the Trump orbit.
The Larger Power Struggle
This alleged incident reflects broader internal friction within the Trump administration’s second term—particularly as Musk increasingly inserts himself into policy discussions involving technology, efficiency, and fiscal oversight. Musk’s highly public feud with Trump over the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and his recent Twitter tirades have already soured relations between the two powerful figures.
If Bannon’s report is accurate, the Musk-Bessent clash could be one of the most dramatic behind-the-scenes confrontations of Trump’s presidency, highlighting the growing tensions between Silicon Valley influence and traditional conservative governance.
Conclusion: Chaos or Calculated Conflict?
Whether this episode is an isolated incident or the beginning of a larger internal power struggle remains to be seen. But as Trump’s inner circle battles for control over critical policy arms—from the IRS to defense spending and beyond—one thing is clear:
The Trump White House isn’t just rewriting the rules of governance—it’s redefining what a political showdown looks like.
