Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent got into a heated shouting match last week over the leadership of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), according to two White House officials who confirmed the incident to NBC News.
The confrontation, first reported by Axios, highlighted growing tensions within the Trump administration as key figures debate the direction of federal agencies.
In response, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed the clash, calling it a sign of a healthy internal debate.
“It’s no secret President Trump has put together a team of people who are incredibly passionate about the issues impacting our country,” Leavitt said in a statement.
“Disagreements are a normal part of any healthy policy process. And ultimately, everyone knows they serve at the pleasure of President Trump.”
While details about the specific IRS candidate in question remain unclear, NBC News previously reported the disagreement stemmed from conflicting visions between Musk and Bessent on the future of the agency’s leadership.
The incident underscores Musk’s growing influence within Trump’s inner policy circles — and how that influence may continue to stir friction as key appointments take shape.