However, he acknowledged “disagreements” with Musk during their tenure in President Donald Trump’s cabinet.

Scott Bessent downplays Elon Musk clash, compares himself to a ‘ninja’ on podcast

“We have had disagreements, but we both want to get to the same place,” Bessent shared. “We both want to eliminate the waste, fraud and abuse in government.”

“The Silicon Valley mode of operation is move quickly and break things. I always say here at Treasury we move deliberately and fix thing,” he said, adding, “Elon probably fancies himself more of a viking. I think I’m more of a ninja. Sort of the submarine that surfaces, fires, and goes back under.”

Tension between the two power players reportedly boiled over in mid-April after they pitched competing candidates to head the IRS.

According to a source quoted by Steve Bannon in The Washington Post, the argument escalated in the West Wing hallway, culminating in Musk allegedly ramming his shoulder into Bessent “like a rugby player.” Bystanders were said to have intervened to deescalate the moment.

On the ‘Pod Force One’ episode, Bessent sidestepped directly addressing the rumored body slam incident. Instead, he kept things vague, noting that everyone involved is “very passionate” about doing the best they can for both Trump and the country.

Pressed further about whether he called Musk a “total fraud,” Bessent firmly denied it. “Absolutely not,” he replied.

While the White House initially described the incident as nothing more than a “robust disagreement,” insiders say tensions had been building for weeks as Musk’s brash style clashed with other members of the administration.

Musk formally left his short-term government role in May after reaching his legal 130-day limit as a ‘special government employee’.

Scott Bessent praises Elon Musk’s legacy at DOGE despite fallout with Trump

Speaking on ‘Pod Force One’, Bessent said, “I think of DOGE as an ethos, and to the extent that Elon has departed physically, I think that ethos is there and the momentum for what he’s done will yield bigger and bigger savings over time.”

At the end of May, Musk quietly exited his advisory role with the commission as his temporary government employee status expired. His outspoken criticism of the president’s “big, beautiful bill” sparked a very public clash between the two, marking a turning point in their once-amicable relationship.

Internet reacts as Scott Bessent calls himself a ‘ninja’ after brawl with Elon Musk

Scott Bessent’s unexpected self-proclaimed “ninja” moment after his reported scuffle with Elon Musk has sparked a flurry of mockery and disbelief across social media, with users roasting the treasury secretary’s choice of words.

One user summed up the collective cringe, “Viking and Ninja. Hilarious. And pathetic.”

Another sarcastically agreed, “Yes, Bessent is a ninja. I think we all see that.”

Others were more blunt in their criticism saying, “Bessent is a lunatic.”

One wrote, “These people are toddlers pretending to be tough guys,” while another commented, “Elon picked on the wrong queen.”