Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent minimized his recent disagreements with billionaire Elon Musk, describing their conflict as a matter of personal style rather than animosity. Bessent sees himself as a “nimble ninja,” contrasting with Musk’s self-described “Viking” approach—fast-moving and break-things mentality.

The two clashed publicly in April, with reports suggesting Musk physically confronted Bessent, an incident Bessent has not confirmed but has dismissed claims that he called Musk a fraud as “fake news.” Behind the scenes, however, sources indicate Bessent was skeptical of some of Musk’s assertions, particularly regarding personnel choices for agencies like the IRS.

During that period, Musk and Bessent proposed different candidates for IRS leadership. Ultimately, President Trump favored Bessent’s recommendation. The tension escalated after a meeting where Bessent reportedly confronted Musk, leading to a physical altercation that Bannon described as Musk “body checking” Bessent “like a rugby player.”

Despite public defenses of Musk’s efforts, Bessent expressed skepticism about Musk’s claims, while emphasizing that Musk’s influence and the ethos of the organization, DOGE, continue to drive savings and reform. He noted that Musk’s departure from government did not diminish the movement’s momentum.

Bessent clarified during a congressional hearing that claims he called Musk a fraud were “fake news,” though he has been cautious about confirming any physical altercations. He also reflected on Musk’s intense public scrutiny, suggesting that the pressure may have affected him, but affirmed that Musk’s vision left a lasting legacy in government reform efforts.

Following Musk’s exit from his official role last month, Trump acknowledged some disagreements but did not confirm any physical altercation. Musk had earlier shown interest in government reforms, using Treasury’s payment system to target inefficiency, before ending his official government service.

In the political arena, Musk endorsed Howard Lutnick for Treasury Secretary, although Lutnick was later appointed to a different cabinet role, exemplifying the passionate and often unpredictable nature of high-stakes political and business interactions.

“Everyone involved wants to serve the best interests of President Trump and the American people,” Bessent commented, highlighting the often complex dynamics behind these high-profile disputes.