WH downplays reports of Elon Musk ‘body-checking’ Scott Bessent, insists it was a ‘healthy disagreement’

WASHINGTON, DC: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested on Sunday, June 8, that Elon Musk's physical altercation with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was just a "healthy disagreement."

Fox News host Maria Bartiromo said during a Sunday interview that MAGA influencer Steve Bannon reported that the Tesla CEO confronted Bessent in the White House, Raw Story reported.

Karoline Leavitt downplays Elon Musk's altercation with Scott Bessent

Maria Bartiromo said, "Elon Musk aggressively body-checked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Did he body-check the Treasury Secretary in the White House?"

Leavitt replied, "Well, look, when this story originally broke, I said from the podium that there have definitely been healthy disagreements amongst the cabinet and Elon Musk."

"There were times in which they got frustrated with one another, but I think that really speaks to the heart of this cabinet in the president's team, that they can have these robust disagreements and then still come together to do what's right for the people they are serving," she added.

Meanwhile, Bartiromo pointed out, "Now, we know that there was real disrespect in a lot of those X posts from Elon Musk, for sure. But did he actually get physical? Was there a fist fight that he body-checked the Treasury Secretary?"

"I certainly wouldn't describe it as a fist fight, Maria. It was definitely a disagreement... But again, we've moved on from that. The president has moved on from it," Leavitt said.

The feud between Elon Musk and Scott Bessent

Influential right-wing podcaster Steve Bannon told the Washington Post that Elon Musk and Scott Bessent were reportedly involved in a physical altercation this April, during which the tech billionaire allegedly rammed his shoulder into the lawmaker's rib cage.

Interestingly, Bannon made the claims amid Musk’s escalating public feud with President Donald Trump.

Bannon informed the outlet that the incident took place in mid-April after Musk and Bessent met Trump in the Oval Office to make their respective cases for acting IRS commissioner.

The POTUS ultimately sided with Bessent’s recommendation, per the outlet.

After exiting the Oval Office and walking down a hallway, Bessent allegedly confronted Musk over his unfulfilled claims of uncovering more than $1 trillion in wasteful and fraudulent government spending.

Bannon informed the outlet that Bessent said, "You’re a fraud. You’re a total fraud."

Bannon added that Musk, who was visibly angered, allegedly rammed his shoulder into Bessent’s rib cage "like a rugby player," and Bessent hit him back. 

The MAGA influencer added that several people stepped in to break up the fight, and Musk was then escorted out of the West Wing.

Bannon said, "President Trump heard about it and said, 'This is too much.'" 

Karoline Leavitt slammed for downplaying the Elon Musk and Scott Bessent altercation

Several users on the internet slammed Karoline Leavitt after she suggested that Elon Musk's "body-checking" of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was a "healthy disagreement."

A user wrote on X, "@PressSec is a disgusting liar," while another said, "'Well look' is her equivalent of 'yes' right before she gives a spin."

A person stated, "If her lips are moving, it's probably a lie!" whereas another remarked, "Looks like kkkkaroline lies are wearing on her. She looks older by the second!"

One individual declared, "Princess of lies," while another added, "Not once did she address the question."

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