WASHINGTON D.C. – A high-profile clash has erupted between tech mogul Elon Musk and a key trade advisor to the administration, with Musk labeling Peter Navarro a “moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks” in a fiery online exchange. The outburst follows Navarro’s public dismissal of Tesla as merely a “car assembler” reliant on foreign-made parts.
The dispute unfolded after Navarro, a prominent architect of the administration’s trade policies, appeared in an interview where he downplayed Tesla’s manufacturing prowess. Navarro asserted that the electric vehicle company was primarily an assembler, dependent on components sourced from countries like Japan, China, and Taiwan. He argued that the administration’s tariff policies aimed to incentivize domestic production of such parts.
Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) within the administration, did not hold back in his response on his social media platform, X. He shared findings from a 2023 study that indicated Tesla vehicles have the highest percentage of U.S.-made content compared to other automakers.
“Navarro is truly a moron. What he says here is demonstrably false,” Musk wrote, directly addressing Navarro’s claims. In a subsequent post, he reiterated, “Tesla has the most American-made cars. Navarro is dumber than a sack of bricks.”
This public spat underscores a potential rift within the administration regarding trade and industrial policy, particularly as the implementation of new tariffs sends ripples through global markets. While Musk has generally aligned with the broader objectives of the administration, his sharp criticism of a key advisor on a matter directly impacting his company signals a significant disagreement.
The White House, when reached for comment, appeared to downplay the exchange. “Boys will be boys, and we will let their public sparring continue,” stated press secretary Karoline Leavitt during a briefing, suggesting the administration views it as a disagreement between individuals with differing perspectives on trade.
Musk had previously voiced concerns about the potential negative impact of tariffs on Tesla, stating that the cost implications for his company were “not trivial.” His latest broadside against Navarro indicates a growing frustration with the administration’s trade strategy, particularly as it relates to the electric vehicle industry.
The public feud between a high-profile CEO within the administration and a key policy advisor adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate surrounding trade and its impact on American businesses and the global economy.