Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened to punch Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte “in the fucking face” during a tense exchange at a private dinner last week, Politico reported on Monday.
The confrontation occurred on Wednesday at an inaugural dinner event at the Executive Branch, a Trump-aligned private club co-founded by Donald Trump Jr., according to Politico. The clash between Bessent and Pulte began after several people had told the Treasury secretary that the FHFA director had been criticizing him to President Donald Trump, one anonymous source told Politico.
“Why the fuck are you talking to the president about me? Fuck you,” Bessent told Pulte, Politico reported. “I’m gonna punch you in your fucking face.”
One anonymous eyewitness and four other anonymous sources that described the exchange to Politico could not agree on whether Bessent or Pulte began the discussion.
While Executive Branch co-owner Omeed Malik attempted to de-escalate the situation, Bessent seemingly wanted Pulte to be ousted from the dinner event, three anonymous sources told Politico. Bessent also threatened to “fucking beat [Pulte’s] ass,” Politico reported.
“It’s either me or him,” Bessent told Malik, Politico reported. “You tell me who’s getting the fuck out of here.”
“Or,” the Treasury secretary continued, “we could go outside.”
“To do what?” Pulte asked Bessent. “To talk?”
“No,” Bessent replied. “I’m going to fucking beat your ass.”
Malik eventually split up Bessent and Pulte, and the two men were seated at opposite ends of the table during the sit-down dinner, according to Politico.
One anonymous source called the Wednesday evening exchange between Bessent and Pulte “bonkers,” while another person called it “unhinged,” the outlet reported.
Some of the other guests at the private dinner included Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, Politico reported.
In May, Trump announced that Bessent, Lutnick and Pulte would work together to develop a plan to privatize Fannie Maeand Freddie Mac, which are regulated by the FHFA. Four anonymous sources notably told Politico that Pulte and Bessenthave privately been having disagreements over the two mortgage giants as well as other issues related to the economy.
Pulte is also known for publicly calling for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to lower interest rates.
The Treasury Department and the FHFA did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
