Elon Musk reportedly involved in scuffle with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in the White House

A former adviser to Donald Trump claims Elon Musk shoulder charged a top White House official after a war of words turned physical just metres from the Oval Office.

Elon Musk went at US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent “like a rugby player” according to a former Donald Trump adviser.

The Washington Post quoted former White House official Steve Bannon stating the heated scuffle exploded mid-April following an argument about plans for the Internal Revenue Service.

Both men allegedly pitched opposing strategies to Mr Trump with the President backing Mr Bessent’s option.

Elon Musk speaks during his final news conference with President Donald Trump, right, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, from left, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, listen in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30. Picture: AP Photo

Mr Bannon said Mr Bessent and Mr Musk left the Oval Office meeting hurling insults at one another with the scuffle breaking out just metres from the door.

“Scott said, ‘You’re a fraud. You’re a total fraud,’” Mr Bannon said.

Mr Bannon claimed it was at that point Mr Musk rammed his shoulder into Bessent’s rib cage “like a rugby player,” with Mr Bessent swiftly fighting back.

The conservative podcaster said it took multiple people to pull the tussling pair apart.

“President Trump heard about it and said, ‘This is too much,’” Mr Bannon said.

The revelation comes days after Mr Musk and Mr Trump’s relationship publicly broke down after the world’s richest man went on a social media rant about the President’s new spending bill.

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XI AND TRUMP AGREE TO RECIPROCAL VISITS

China and the United States have returned to the negotiating table with presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping taking part in a lengthy phone call that reopened the door to in-person trade talks.

Mr Trump announced he had a 90-minute phone call with the Chinese leader that resulted in a “very positive conclusion”.

The US President said the pair had discussed the trade of critical rare earth minerals but the details of any deal were not made public.

“There should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of rare earth products,” Mr Trump said.

Mr Trump and Mr Xi have met before – including on the sidelines on the 2019 G20 Summit in Osaka. Picture: AFP

“Our respective teams will be meeting shortly at a location to be determined.”

Mr Trump said both leaders also extended invitations to visit one another.

“During the conversation, President Xi graciously invited the First Lady and me to visit China, and I reciprocated,” he said.

“As Presidents of two great nations, this is something that we both look forward to doing.”

It was the first call between the two world leaders since Mr Trump returned to office in January.

Tension has been mounting between the superpowers amid an escalating trade war that has threatened the economies of both countries.

Beijing and Washington last month struck a deal that lowered trade tariffs that were as high as 145 per cent down to 30 per cent.

Originally published as Elon Musk reportedly involved in scuffle with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in the White House