Elon Musk Clashes With Trump's Trade Adviser as Tariff War Heats Up

Billionaire Elon Musk assaulted President Donald Trump’s commerce advisor Peter Navarro On Tuesday morning, referring to him as "an idiot" and "less intelligent than a bag of bricks."

He responded to Navarro’s most recent television appearance, during which Navarro referred to Musk as merely "a car assembler" rather than a "car manufacturer," while supporting the administration's stance on tariffs from the White House.

"We all recognize in the White House, and the American public understands this as well, that although Elon is seen as a car maker, he actually operates more like a car assembler," stated the president's top trade advisor.

What was the situation between Musk and Navarro?

In 2024, Navarro spent four months in prison for contempt of Congress and claimed that Tesla’s electric car factory in Texas obtains its engines from Japan and China, as well as procures additional electronic components from Taiwan.

The distinction between our approach and Elon's lies in our desire for the tires to be produced in Akron. For us, the transmissions should come from Indianapolis, the engines from Flint and Saginaw, and ultimately, we aim for the assembly of these vehicles to take place locally.

The CEO of Tesla countered, stating that Navarro’s comments are "clearly untrue," in a post .

"Tesla leads in producing the most American-made vehicles," he said. wrote .

The White House showed no worry regarding the public disagreement between an advisor to Trump and the head of the Department of Government Efficiency.

"Whatever," responded White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. told CNBC News correspondent Eamon Javers.

We are the most open government ever, voicing our disputes publicly.

Musk advocates for unrestricted commerce between North America and Europe.

Musk is assisting in guiding the direction of the Trump In his position at DOGE, his objectives include reducing the size of government. However, he has not shied away from challenging the newly imposed tariffs.

"I believe it would be ideal for both Europe and the United States to transition toward a zero-tariff environment, essentially establishing a free trade area between Europe and North America," Musk stated during an event hosted by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who represents the conservatives, on Saturday. NBC News reported.

"That's what I aspire for, along with greater mobility for individuals who want to travel between Europe and North America. If someone wants to work in Europe or desires to work in America, they should have the opportunity to do so, as far as I'm concerned. This perspective has definitely guided my counsel to the president," Musk elaborated.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, jumped into the conversation, calling Musk “one of President Trump’s angels,” adding that Trump should listen to the billionaire’s “advice on tariffs.”

“The White House should use its historic leverage to LOWER foreign tariffs,” Cruz said in a post .

As per Navarro, the tech billionaire “didn’t understand” the situation. The White House adviser denied any rift between him and Musk in an interview with Fox News Sunday. “We don’t mind him saying whatever he wants, but just the American people need to understand that we understand what that’s all about,” he added .