US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appears to be feeling the pressure of his new role in new ways — recently threatening to punch his colleague across a White House dinner table. The explosive-laden diatribe came during an otherwise cheerful occasion last week as close advisers attended a private dinner. The outraged threats came after other attendees revealed that top housing finance official Bill Pulte had been ‘badmouthing’ Bessent to President Donald Trump.
‘You’re talking to Trump about me’
“Why the f**k are you talking to the president about me? F**k you. I’m gonna punch you in your f***ing face,” Politico quoted Bessent as telling Pulte.
Eyewitnesses told the publication that Pulte appeared stunned at the outburst while club co-owner and financier Omeed Malik tried to intervene. Bessent however, stood his ground and even sought to have the Federal Housing Finance Agency director kicked out of the event. The Treasury Secretary had reportedly heard from several people that Pulte was badmouthing Bessent to Trump.
“It’s either me or him. You tell me who’s getting the f**k out of here. Or. We could go outside,” Bessent told Malik.
Bessent clarified further upon being asked by Pulte if he wanted to step outside and talk — “No. I’m going to f***ing beat your ass.”
The bizarre confrontation comes at a time when the two men have been working closely on a plan to privatise Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — the federal housing finance organs overseen by Pulte. Source-based reports suggest that the duo have clashed repeatedly over several issues and remain engaged in a ‘turf war’ of sorts.
Tensions within the Trump team?
US President Donald Trump has fallen out with many of his former friends and allies over the past decade — often casting them out in harsh terms. A notable example would be his immense camaraderie with Elon Musk and their rather public ‘break up’ earlier this year. Similar tensions also appear to exist within the Trump-led administration with communication challenges and internal disagreement over policy directions.