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 attended by administration officials and close advisers to Donald Trump. “No sir, I actually said I was going to kick his a**,” Mr Bessent replied with a grin. Sen. Thom Tillis replied: “Good, I share the emotion. Thank you.” Mr Pulte has been appointed acting Director of National Intelligence.