Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Labels Elon Musk a "Loser" and Urges Him to Quit Politics
- Why Did Scott Bessent Call Elon Musk a "Loser"?
- What Sparked the Musk-Bessent Feud?
- What Is Musk’s "America Party" Really About?
- How Has Trump Reacted to Musk’s Moves?
- FAQ: Key Questions About the Musk-Bessent Clash
In a fiery televised interview, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent didn’t hold back, calling Elon Musk a "loser" and suggesting the billionaire should abandon his political ambitions to focus on running Tesla and SpaceX. The clash stems from Musk’s recent launch of the "America Party," which Bessent argues lacks public support. The tension between the two figures isn’t new, with Musk previously clashing with TRUMP over fiscal policies. This article dives into their feud, Musk’s political gambit, and the broader implications for U.S. politics.
Why Did Scott Bessent Call Elon Musk a "Loser"?
During a live CNN interview, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent didn’t mince words when discussing Elon Musk’s foray into politics. "Most of America thinks he’s a loser," Bessent declared, referencing Musk’s newly filed "America Party." He argued that Musk lacks the national appeal to drive a political movement and should instead focus on his companies. This isn’t just a casual insult—it’s a direct challenge to Musk’s credibility. Bessent even hinted that Musk’s own board members want him back in the CEO chair, not on the campaign trail. The tension between the two has been simmering since Musk left his government advisory role in May after clashing with Trump. While Bessent initially kept things diplomatic, this interview marks a clear escalation.
What Sparked the Musk-Bessent Feud?
The root of the conflict lies in the "One Big Beautiful Bill," a $3.9 trillion deficit-boosting package Trump signed last Friday. Musk, furious over its long-term financial impact, claimed it "mocked" his now-defunct Government Efficiency Project (DOGE). Bessent, however, sees Musk’s opposition as self-serving—especially since the bill cuts Biden-era green energy subsidies that benefited Tesla. Musk denies this, insisting his concern is the ballooning national debt. The feud turned physical in April when Musk allegedly "checked" Bessent’s body during a tense meeting (a claim Bessent neither confirmed nor denied). Later, Bessent quipped on Steve Bannon’s podcast that Musk acts "more like a Viking than a CEO."
What Is Musk’s "America Party" Really About?
Musk’s third-party effort, officially filed with the FEC on Saturday, aims to disrupt the "UniParty system" of Democrats and Republicans. Inspired by the ancient Greek general Epaminondas’ battle strategy, Musk plans to focus on "extremely concentrated force" in select House and Senate races—though he hasn’t named candidates yet. His X followers endorsed the idea in a pre-launch poll. While Musk hasn’t confirmed if he’ll run for office, his goal is clear: shift Congress’s power balance. Critics like Bessent argue it’s a vanity project, but Musk’s track record of defying expectations keeps observers watching.
How Has Trump Reacted to Musk’s Moves?
Trump hasn’t fully turned on Musk but hasn’t stayed silent either. He’s floated cutting federal subsidies to Musk’s companies and even joked about deporting him (Musk is a naturalized U.S. citizen from South Africa). Their rift began when Trump picked Bessent over Musk’s preferred Treasury nominee, Howard Lutnick. Musk’s public meltdown over the snub targeted Bessent, not Trump—a nuance that hints at lingering alliances. Republicans suspect Musk’s opposition to the megabill is less about debt and more about lost Tesla perks. Either way, the Musk-Bessent-Trump triangle adds drama to an already volatile political season.
FAQ: Key Questions About the Musk-Bessent Clash
What did Scott Bessent say about Elon Musk?
Bessent called Musk a "loser" on CNN, stating most Americans don’t support his political ambitions and urging him to focus on Tesla and SpaceX.
Why does Musk oppose the "One Big Beautiful Bill"?
Musk claims it exacerbates federal debt, but critics argue he’s upset over cuts to green energy subsidies that benefited Tesla.
Has Musk’s "America Party" gained traction?
It’s too early to tell. The party targets narrow congressional races with a "concentrated force" strategy, but no candidates have been announced.
