Treasury secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday quipped that his predecessors have traditionally dueled after stories that he threatened to punch Federal Housing Finance Company Director Invoice Pulte and had a verbal confrontation that was a scuffle with billionaire Elon Musk.
“Treasury secretaries dating back to Alexander Hamilton have a history of dueling. I think with the president’s team— I turned out a little better for the Treasury’s side this time,” Bessent said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”
“With President Trump’s team, just like any of the great sports team, you can argue in the locker room, but we get out in the field and do the best for the president and the American people every day,” he added.
Bessent threatened to punch Pulte throughout a heated confrontation at a personal dinner attended by administration officers and shut advisers to Trump earlier this month, Politico reported.
“Why the f‑‑‑ are you talking to the president about me? F‑‑‑ you,” Bessent mentioned to Pulte, who appeared surprised, based on the report. “I’m gonna punch you in your f‑‑‑ing face.”
When asking in regards to the altercations, CNBC’s Joe Kernen commented on Bessent’s top, including, “If I used to be going to mess with somebody, it wouldn’t be you.” He requested the secretary to substantiate the battle report and mentioned, “I don’t want you to get mad at me for asking this because I’m scared of you too.”
“My money in a three-way fight is on Becky, always,” Bessent later mentioned, quipping about betting on CNBC host Becky Fast over Kernen and Andrew Ross Sorkin on “Squawk Box.”
Earlier this yr, Trump ally Steve Bannon advised The Washington Submit Bessent known as Musk “a total fraud” in a heated confrontation in regards to the Division of Authorities Effectivity’s (DOGE) efforts to chop authorities spending. In accordance with Bannon, Musk rammed his shoulder into the Treasury chief’s rib cage and Bessent hit him again.
