Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unleashed a torrent of threats against Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte during a fierce argument last week.
The confrontation at an exclusive social club in Georgetown escalated when the 63-year-old Bessent accused the 37-year-old Pulte of speaking ill of him to President Trump, marking another chapter in Bessent's history of physical spats within the administration, including a prior clash with Elon Musk over Internal Revenue Service leadership.
The New York Post reported that Bessent's fury boiled over with sharp words like "Why the f— are you talking to the president about me? F— you." That blunt accusation, while raw, highlights the frustrations bubbling in high-stakes government roles where loyalty matters most.
He then escalated to "I’m gonna punch you in your f—ing face," a line that underscores the intense pressures of public service rather than mere aggression.
Pulte's immediate reaction remains unclear, but the exchange, first noted by Politico, unfolded at the Executive Branch social club co-founded by banker Omeed Malik and Donald Trump Jr.
The venue had drawn $500,000 from founding members earlier this year and now seeks a $150,000 initiation fee plus $15,000 in annual dues.
Such opulent settings often host power brokers, yet they can amplify personal rifts in an administration focused on bold reforms. This wasn't Bessent's initial brush with physical threats among Trump officials, as a similar incident occurred in April involving billionaire Elon Musk.
The two clashed outside the Oval Office over competing picks for acting head of the Internal Revenue Service, with Musk advocating for whistleblower Gary Shapley.
Bessent favored his deputy, Michael Faulkender, but the dispute turned ugly as they departed.
Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX leader, lowered his shoulder at Bessent in a rugby-like move, prompting Bessent to reportedly strike back.
Bessent did not confirm if contact occurred, yet former Trump adviser Steve Bannon claimed Bessent labeled Musk a "fraud."
Bessent dismissed that to Congress as "fake news," a savvy rebuttal in an era where misinformation clouds genuine policy debates.
Shapley ultimately secured the role, though Faulkender briefly held it for five months before Bessent replaced him.
Beyond personal clashes, Bessent and Pulte share responsibilities, such as efforts to privatize federal mortgage entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
They hold contrasting views on the Trump administration staffing, particularly regarding the Federal Reserve.
Bessent has urged President Trump against dismissing Chairman Jerome Powell and is now seeking candidates to succeed Powell when his term concludes in May.
He has pushed for the Fed to adjust its direction, emphasizing economic stability over hasty changes. Pulte, meanwhile, has campaigned to remove certain Fed members, including Board of Governors member Lisa Cook.
Last week, the Department of Justice initiated a criminal investigation into Cook for purportedly declaring two properties in Michigan and Atlanta as primary residences.
Pulte uncovered the loan records and shared them on X, demonstrating a commitment to transparency that aligns with conservative calls for accountability. He has also encouraged Trump to weigh removing Powell for not lowering interest rates, a stance that prioritizes American workers over entrenched bureaucracy.
These divergences likely fueled the Georgetown spat, where loyalty and policy intersect in unpredictable ways.
White House and Treasury representatives did not respond promptly to comment requests, leaving room for speculation in a fast-paced environment.
Images from July 24 show Pulte alongside figures like James Blair and Russell Vought addressing the media, and with President Trump during a briefing that included Sen. Tim Scott and others.
More recently, Trump appeared with Bessent at the US Open on Sunday, suggesting that such internal frictions don't derail core alliances.
