Bessent Threatens to Punch FHFA Chief Pulte at Private Dinner

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened to punch Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte in the face during a private dinner in Georgetown on Saturday evening, sparking a fierce confrontation among top Trump administration officials.

The explosive exchange underscored deepening tensions within the White House economic team, as Pulte’s aggressive public campaign against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has drawn scrutiny from colleagues and fueled broader infighting.

At the Executive Branch club’s exclusive dinner, multiple cabinet members-including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick-witnessed Bessent erupt after learning Pulte had been badmouthing him to President Trump. According to attendees, Bessent confronted Pulte with an expletive-laden diatribe, declaring, “Why the fuck are you talking to the president about me? Fuck you. I’m gonna punch you in your fucking face,” before being physically separated by aides.

Key Details:

  • Location: The Executive Branch, a MAGA-friendly Georgetown club with $500,000 membership fees.
  • Witnesses: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard among others.
  • Context: The clash follows Pulte’s high-profile allegations of mortgage fraud against Fed Governor Lisa Cook, which President Trump used to attempt her removal.
  • Fallout: The incident marks the second near-physical confrontation Bessent has been involved in this year, highlighting fractures in the administration’s economic policymaking team.

The confrontation raises questions about the cohesion of Trump’s economic leadership at a time when the administration is pushing for lower interest rates, negotiating complex trade issues and weighing potential National Guard deployments in U.S. cities. With Bessent and Pulte both key figures in economic and regulatory strategy, their public feud may hamper unified messaging on monetary policy and fiscal priorities.

Observers say the episode reflects a broader pattern of insider disputes. One Trump aide described the incident as “bonkers,” while another called it “unhinged,” illustrating how personal rivalries are spilling into official functions and distracting from governance.