IRS Turmoil: Shapley Out, Bessent in the Hot Seat
In a development reminiscent of a political thriller, Acting IRS Commissioner Gary Shapley has exited the agency following an internal power struggle that saw Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent flex his muscles.
Shapley, the whistleblower who bravely unveiled the alleged political meddling in the Hunter Biden tax fraud investigation, stepped into the role of interim IRS Commissioner after Melanie Krause’s resignation. However, his tenure has proven to be as fleeting as a summer romance, overshadowed by tumultuous dynamics within the Treasury Department.
BIG NEWS: Gary Shapley, the IRS whistleblower who exposed the DOJ’s cover-up of the criminal investigation of Hunter Biden, is now Acting IRS Commissioner.
Congratulations, Gary—your courage and professionalism will transform the IRS. pic.twitter.com/DhotnPsCUU
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) April 16, 2025
Krause’s departure was already steeped in controversy, particularly due to a problematic data-sharing agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But Shapley’s brief ascendance has now come to an abrupt halt, reportedly due to friction with Bessent, who expressed dissatisfaction over Shapley’s appointment, claiming he was blindsided.
Reports suggest that Shapley’s placement was orchestrated at the behest of billionaire Elon Musk—yes, the same Musk known for his ventures in electric cars and space travel—without Bessent’s prior knowledge. The plot thickens: on Thursday, Laura Loomer tweeted about Bessent’s past critiques of Musk, igniting a public spat.
In a response that could rival a Shakespearean drama, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his concerns regarding Bessent’s alleged ties to George Soros, stating, “The strong Soros affiliation is concerning.”
The strong Soros affiliation is concerning
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 18, 2025
The New York Times reported on the unfolding drama:
President Trump has replaced the acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service after his appointment just days earlier set off a power struggle between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and billionaire Elon Musk, five people with knowledge of the change said Friday.
Mr. Bessent’s deputy, Michael Faulkender, will take over as the new acting leader, thus marking Shapley as the third acting leader of the agency this week. Bessent apparently informed Trump that Musk had circumvented him to secure Shapley’s position, despite the IRS being under Bessent’s purview.
This clash underscores Musk’s growing influence within the Trump administration, much to the chagrin of some top officials. The public nature of the feud escalated late Thursday when Musk amplified Loomer’s accusations questioning Bessent’s loyalty to Trump.
