Elon Musk was reportedly involved in a physical altercation with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a meeting at the White House in mid-April 2025. The confrontation occurred after a tense discussion over the leadership of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), where Musk allegedly charged at Bessent “like a rugby player.” The incident escalated into a physical brawl that had to be broken up by onlookers.
Prior to this altercation, Musk had been engaged in a public feud with former President Donald Trump, criticizing his proposed reconciliation bill and accusing him of withholding Jeffrey Epstein-related files. Trump responded by disparaging Musk’s mental state and accusing him of drug use. The fallout from these disputes, combined with the physical confrontation with Bessent, has significantly strained Musk’s relationships within the political establishment.
Following the incident, Musk was seen with a black eye during a farewell event at the White House. He attributed the injury to playful roughhousing with his son, stating, “I was just horsing around with lil’ X, and I said, ‘go ahead punch me in the face.'” However, the timing of the injury led to widespread speculation about the altercation with Bessent.
In the aftermath, Musk has publicly denied ongoing drug use, despite reports alleging his consumption of substances like ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms. He has called the reports false and accused the media of dishonesty.
The incident has added to the growing controversy surrounding Musk, leading to intensified scrutiny from political figures and the media. While the altercation with Bessent has been confirmed, the broader implications for Musk’s political and business future remain uncertain.
