{"id":2610173,"date":"2026-06-03T13:46:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T17:46:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bessent-says-he-told-pulte-he-was-going-to-kick-his-a-last-year\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T13:47:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T17:47:02","slug":"bessent-says-he-told-pulte-he-was-going-to-kick-his-a-last-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bessent-says-he-told-pulte-he-was-going-to-kick-his-a-last-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Bessent says he told Pulte he was going to &#8216;kick his a**&#8217; last year"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbessent-says-he-told-pulte-he-was-going-to-kick-his-a-last-year%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2610173&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Treasury Secretary scott Bessent told the Senate Finance Committee that any reported fight with Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte involved an on-the-team confrontation last summer, adding that he recently had a \u201cvery good exchange\u201d with Pulte.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Thom Tillis pressed Bessent on claims that Bessent threatened to punch Pulte after Pulte had criticized him to President Trump; Bessent corrected that he said he would \u201ckick his\u201d rather, while saying such disagreements can happen in the \u201clocker room\u201d and then people return to working together. The hearing also highlighted Pulte\u2019s controversial tenure at the FHFA, including his push for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-cohen-horrifies-msnbc-hosts-by-telling-truth-about-adam-schiffs-future-with-mortgage-fraud-charges\/\" title=\"Watch: Cohen Horrifies MSNBC Hosts by Telling Truth About Adam Schiff\u2019s Future with ... Charges\">mortgage fraud investigations<\/a> against Trump critics, which contributed to actions against Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook.<\/p>\n<p>Trump tapped Pulte to serve as acting director of national intelligence while he continues leading the FHFA, a move that drew questions about Pulte\u2019s qualifications. Sen.Mark Warner asked whether Pulte has a security clearance, and Bessent said he did not know-then Warner questioned whether directing national intelligence would be a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/an-extended-look-at-candace-owens-like-youve-never-seen-her-before\/\" title=\"An Extended Look At\u00a0Candace Owens Like You\u2019ve Never Seen Her Before\">full-time job<\/a>, which Bessent acknowledged as an vital role.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/treasury-department\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3544\">Treasury<\/a> Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/scott-bessent\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11700\">Scott Bessent<\/a> confirmed reporting of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mlb-legend-eyeing-us-senate-seat-could-give-gop-first-victory-in-decades\/\" title=\"MLB legend may win US ...ate seat, giving GOP first victory in decades.\">highly publicized clash<\/a> between himself and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bill-pulte\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"22738\">Bill Pulte<\/a> last year, although he said that such confrontations happen when working on a team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During a Wednesday hearing before the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate-finance-committee\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2046\">Senate Finance Committee<\/a> to testify on President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-turmp\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11474\">Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> proposed budget, Bessent faced questions about Pulte, who <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4590792\/trump-appoints-bill-pulte-acting-director-of-national-intelligence\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4590792\/trump-appoints-bill-pulte-acting-director-of-national-intelligence\/\">was recently named<\/a> acting <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/odni\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2952\">director of national intelligence<\/a>.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/4592150\/treasury-sanctions-iran-cryptocurrency-exchange\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Treasury sanctions major Iranian cryptocurrency exchange<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4590852\/what-to-know-bill-pulte-trump-pick-odni-chief\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>What to know about Bill Pulte, Trump\u2019s pick to be acting ODNI chief<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance-and-economy\/4590912\/job-openings-rise-highest-level-nearly-two-years\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Job openings rise to highest level in nearly two years<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4590852\/what-to-know-bill-pulte-trump-pick-odni-chief\/\"><strong>WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT BILL PULTE, TRUMP\u2019S PICK TO BE ACTING ODNI CHIEF <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said he had an \u201cawkward\u201d question for the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >treasury secretary<\/a> and asked whether <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/magazine\/2025\/09\/08\/scott-bessent-bill-pulte-blowup-00549956\">reporting<\/a> was true that Bessent told Pulte he was going to punch him in the face last year during an event after hearing that Pulte had been badmouthing him to Trump.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo, sir, I actually said I was going to kick his a**,\u201d Bessent said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGood, OK, good \u2014 I share the emotion,\u201d Tillis responded.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bessent then clarified that the dustup happened last summer and that \u201cmany teams have fights in the locker room and then go out and win for the team.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI had a very good exchange with the director yesterday,\u201d Bessent added.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Washington. (Graeme Jennings\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pulte has generated headlines during his time at the FHFA for his willingness to act as Trump\u2019s attack dog and for recommending mortgage fraud investigations into several of Trump\u2019s political opponents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In one such case, Pulte accused Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook of mortgage fraud, prompting Trump to fire her and the Justice Department to open an investigation into the allegations. The Supreme Court is weighing the legality of her firing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump tapped Pulte to be acting director of national intelligence on Tuesday, replacing Tulsi Gabbard, who will resign from the role at the end of this month. Pulte will remain on concurrently as head of the FHFA.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His appointment has faced some blowback for Pulte\u2019s lack of intelligence experience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the Wednesday hearing, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), who is also the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, asked Bessent if he knew whether Pulte even has a security clearance, to which Bessent replied he did not.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4591890\/bill-pulte-intelligence-community-marred-by-infighting\/\"><strong>BILL PULTE TAKES THE HELM OF AN INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY MARRED BY INFIGHTING<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn being head of the FHFA, isn\u2019t that a full-time job?\u201d Warner asked.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s a very important position,\u201d Bessent responded.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bessent confirmed a clash with Bill Pulte, saying such conflicts can happen on teams<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3360,"featured_media":2610174,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/060326_WEX_SCOTT_BESSENT-2-e1780502716685.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[45545,69323,61596,80776,4855],"class_list":["post-2610173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-bessent","tag-political-news-2","tag-pulte","tag-speech-quote","tag-threats"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/060326_WEX_SCOTT_BESSENT-2-e1780502716685.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2610173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3360"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2610173"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2610173\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2610177,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2610173\/revisions\/2610177"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2610174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2610173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2610173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2610173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}