"WWE in the West Wing": Musk, Bessent had screaming match in White House

Salon - Apr 24th, 2025
Open on Salon

A heated confrontation between Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was reported to have taken place at the White House, with witnesses describing it as a scene reminiscent of a WWE match. The incident, which occurred in the Oval Office and continued down the hall, was characterized by raised voices but no physical altercation. President Donald Trump and other White House staff were reportedly present during the shouting match, highlighting tensions within the administration. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed the incident, attributing it to the passion of both advisers.

The clash is part of a series of disagreements Musk has had with Trump administration officials, particularly regarding trade policies and tariffs. Previously, Musk had engaged in public disputes with adviser Peter Navarro, reflecting his critical stance on the administration's economic strategies. The ongoing disputes underscore the challenges faced by the administration in balancing diverse perspectives and maintaining unity among its high-profile advisers. This incident also highlights Musk's influential role in policy discussions, despite being an outsider to the political establishment.

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RATING

5.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The story presents a potentially intriguing account of an argument involving Elon Musk in the White House, capturing public interest and engagement through its dramatic narrative. However, the lack of verified details and reliance on unnamed sources significantly undermine its accuracy and credibility. While the article is timely and addresses issues of public interest, its sensational tone and lack of transparency hinder its overall quality. The story's potential to provoke controversy and discussion is high, but it must be balanced with ethical considerations and a commitment to factual reporting.

RATING DETAILS

4
Accuracy

The story claims a heated argument occurred between Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in the White House, which is a significant claim requiring verification. The article references unnamed sources from Axios and the New York Times, but without direct quotes or verifiable details, the accuracy is questionable. The report of a 'WWE' style argument and the involvement of the president lacks corroboration from official sources, making these claims speculative. Additionally, the role of Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary is not confirmed by any official sources, which further undermines the factual accuracy of the article.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of unnamed witnesses and a statement from the White House, which suggests some attempt at balance. However, it does not provide any direct statements from Musk or Bessent, which could offer a more comprehensive view of the incident. The lack of direct quotes from the involved parties and reliance on anonymous sources may lead to an imbalanced portrayal, skewing the narrative towards sensationalism rather than a balanced account of the events.

6
Clarity

The article is written in a sensational tone, which may detract from its clarity. While the narrative is engaging, the lack of structured presentation of facts and reliance on colorful language like 'WWE in the hall' can make it difficult to discern the actual events. The article could benefit from a more straightforward presentation of the facts, supported by clear attribution and context, to enhance reader comprehension.

5
Source quality

The story relies on unnamed sources from Axios and a previous report from the New York Times. While these are generally reputable outlets, the lack of named sources or direct statements from involved parties reduces the reliability of the account. The use of anonymous witnesses diminishes the credibility, as it is difficult to assess the authority or potential biases of these sources. The absence of official statements or confirmations from the White House or involved individuals further weakens the source quality.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in its sourcing, relying heavily on unnamed witnesses without providing context on how the information was obtained. There is no clear explanation of the methodology behind the reporting, such as how the witnesses were chosen or their proximity to the event. The absence of disclosed conflicts of interest or potential biases of the sources leaves readers without a clear understanding of the basis for the claims made.

Sources

  1. https://www.advocate.com/politics/elon-musk-scott-bessent-fight
  2. https://www.salon.com/2025/04/23/wwe-in-the-west-wing-musk-bessent-had-screaming-match-in/