Scott Bessent testifies he told Bill Pulte he was "going to kick his a**," not punch him in the face
Bessent said the two later resolved their differences as senators questioned Bill Pulte’s lack of intelligence experience.
- On Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testified before the Senate Finance Committee, confirming he had a heated confrontation with Acting Director of National Intelligence nominee Bill Pulte last summer but now supports his nomination.
- Reports from last September detailed a contentious dinner where Bessent allegedly threatened Pulte for disparaging him to President Donald Trump, fueling concerns about the nominee's combative reputation within the administration.
- Republican Senator Thom Tillis questioned Bessent about the alleged threat during Wednesday's hearing, prompting the treasury secretary to clarify, "I actually said I was going to kick his a--," dismissing the intensity of their past dispute.
- Despite Bessent's support, Tillis and Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have expressed opposition to Pulte, citing his lack of national security experience and aggressive pursuit of political foes at the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
- Pulte is set to replace Tulsi Gabbard as DNI while concurrently leading the FHFA, a dual role that has raised bipartisan concerns about potential politicization and his ability to manage both critical government functions.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Bessent says he told Pulte ‘I’m going to kick your a**’ in infamous blow-up
Scott Bessent said that he told Bille Pulte that “I’m going to kick you a**” during a heated argument last year. Whilst testifying at the Senate Finance Committee on the president’s fiscal 2027 budget, Treasury Secretary Bessent was asked if he actually threatened to punch the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Pulte in the face. Last September, Politico reported that Mr Bessent threatened to punch Mr Pulte at a private dinner attend…
The Daily Caller
Bessent Denies Threatening To Punch Bill Pulte, Confirms He Threatened To Kick His Ass
Last summer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attended a private dinner where it was reported he was going to punch Bill Pulte, the new Director of National Intelligence, "in the fucking face."
Bessent sets record straight on Trump team dinner clash that nearly turned into a throwdown: ‘Kick his a--’
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent downplayed his reported feud with Bill Pulte during a Senate hearing, presenting a united front on Pulte's appointment to lead national intelligence.
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