Bessent Breaks Silence On Report He Threatened To Punch Bill Pulte: ‘Treasury Secretaries Have a History of Dueling’

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made light of reports that he threatened to punch housing finance chief Bill Pulte in the face, joking that Treasury secretaries have a long history of dueling.

Bessent joined CNBC’s Squawk Box on Tuesday where Joe Kernen asked him about the reported confrontation. Kernen noted he would not “mess” with Bessent, saying he stands about a “head” taller than him. Kernen joked that the height difference makes him hate pictures with Bessent and makes the Trump official seem fairly intimidating.

Bessent referenced a deadly duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in 1804 that ended in Hamilton’s death when discussing the Pulte incident.

“Treasury Secretaries dating back to Alexander Hamilton have a history of dueling, and it turned out a little better for Treasury’s side this time,” Bessent said, cracking up Kernen and Rebecca Quick.

Politico previously reported this month that Bessent confronted Pulte at the Executive Branch club in Georgetown. Bessent reportedly accused Pulte of badmouthing him to President Donald Trump.

“Why the f*ck are you talking to the president about me? F*ck you,” Bessent said, according to eyewitnesses.

The Treasury secretary added, “I’m gonna punch you in your f*cking face.”

Bessent described it as a “locker room” moment of tension.

“With President Trump’s team, just like any great sports team, you can argue in the locker room, but we get out in the field and do the best for the president and the American people every day,” he said.

Watch above via CNBC.