Elon Musk’s shouting match with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent might have been the final nail in the coffin for the tech billionaire’s four-month stint in the White House, but it came after months of bubbling frustration at Musk’s “chain-saw” approach to dismantling the federal government.

Musk and Bessent exploded at each other in April when Musk attempted to force through his pick to lead the IRS—Gary Shapley—behind Bessent’s back. (Musk eventually lost this battle—Shapley lasted less than 72 hours before Bessent tapped Michael Faulkender to replace him.)

“Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you!” a typically mild-mannered Bessent was heard shouting after Musk as they charged down the halls of the West Wing.

  • A_norny_mousse@feddit.org
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    11
    ·
    10 hours ago

    Elon left the White House an utter failure.

    Socially, yes. And he hates it. He’s a narcissist, I doubt he will think of it as a success. OTOH, that’s exactly what he’s been doing for decades: failing yet still coming out richer afterwards.

    Honestly it baffles me that this is enough to become the richest person in the world.
    When will we learn that he actively influences these statistics to stroke his ego?

    • psycho_driver@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      7 hours ago

      Failing upward is the new norm. Probably because of all the sub-par people of generational wealth clogging the drains of society.

    • gradual@lemmings.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      9 hours ago

      I think elon’s responsiveness to criticism stems more from his autism than narcissism.

      I don’t think he has the mental faculties necessary to go against the influence of his peers. In many ways, he’s doing exactly what people expect him to.