This week Axios reported on an alleged “shouting match” between Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over who should lead the IRS. Yes, The New York Times had already flagged the power struggle — but Marc Caputo’s sources told him the argument escalated to a “chest-to-chest” clash that was loud enough to be heard by the Italian prime minister, who was visiting the White House. (MSNBC has not confirmed Caputo's reporting.)
Now let’s be clear: Shouting matches do happen in the White House. But not usually so close to the Oval Office. And certainly not within earshot of a foreign dignitary.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt deferred when asked about the alleged incident. Leavitt referred Axios to a previous statement, noting that “Disagreements are a normal part of any healthy policy process.”
But what’s more shocking about this alleged blow-up isn’t what happened, but what they appear to have been fighting over. The IRS is an agency which has historically been apolitical, focused on doing the business of tax returns. But the Trump administration has already gone through multiple acting IRS commissioners in its bid to control the agency. The invasive nature of Musk and the DOGE posse’s pursuit of personal data also seems to have played a role here.
Musk may be on his way out the door, but my concern is less who he is shouting at and more what he is shouting about.
Read more exclusive insights from Jen Psaki here, and watch the final episode of "Inside with Jen Psaki" on Monday, April 28.
While this is Jen's final Saturday newsletter, stay tuned for details on a new project coming soon. And don't forget to tune into "The Briefing with Jen Psaki," starting Tuesday, May 6 at 9 p.m. ET.
