Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatens to punch fellow Trump official, report says
Published in News & Features
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly threatened to punch out fellow administration official Bill Pulte after accusing the colleague of badmouthing him to President Donald Trump.
Trump’s top economic adviser spewed F-bombs as he squared off against Pulte after the pair crossed paths last week at a swanky private club in Washington, D.C., packed with MAGA A-listers, Politico reported Monday.
“Why the f--- are you talking to the president about me?” Bessent told Pulte, according the the news site, which quoted an eyewitness and others familiar with the face off. “I’m gonna punch you in your f------ face.”
Pulte, who leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, feigned ignorance about Bessent’s intentions when the lanky Wall Street maven said he wanted to take things outside the plush Executive Branch club in Georgetown.
“To do what?” asked Pulte. “To talk?”
“No,” Bessent replied. “I’m going to f------ beat your ass.”
Cooler heads eventually prevailed and the two men were separated without any blows being thrown.
Trump’s second-term Cabinet has become known for its no-holds-barred approach to palace intrigue, especially as the president has dispensed with most traditional norms and limitations on presidential power.
It’s the second time in a few months the short-fused Bessent has threatened to get physical over Trump palace drama. He faced off with billionaire Elon Musk in a White House hallway in a feud over their dueling choices to lead the Internal Revenue Service.
Pulte holds a midlevel post but has sought to ingratiate himself with Trump by making headline-grabbing allegations against no fewer than three perceived enemies of the president.
He’s made similar accusations of supposed mortgage fraud against New York Attorney General Letitia James, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook, while ignoring similar claims leveled against MAGA allies.
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