Elon Musk Lashes Out at Trump Trade Adviser Peter Navarro

Tensions are rising within Donald Trump’s inner circle. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and a vocal supporter of the former president since the 2024 campaign, has launched a scathing attack on Peter Navarro, the architect behind Trump’s protectionist trade policies. In a series of posts on X, the billionaire didn’t hold back, calling the former trade adviser a “moron” and describing him as “dumb as a box of rocks” or “dumb as his own feet” in an unusually harsh tone.

A Heated Response to Criticism of Tesla

The clash began after a video surfaced in which Navarro downplays Musk’s role in the automotive industry, claiming Tesla is merely an “assembler” of parts imported from Asia rather than a true manufacturer. Musk, visibly outraged, responded by asserting that Tesla has “the highest American content” among all major carmakers.

Taking it further, Musk went so far as to mock Navarro’s name, dubbing him “Peter Retarrdo” — a pun widely seen as offensive and inappropriate. Beyond the insults, the exchange highlights deep rifts on key economic issues, particularly tariffs, and reveals growing friction within Trump’s circle of allies.

A Trade War That’s Costing Musk Billions

Despite being tasked with helping Trump drastically cut public spending, Musk remains a fierce critic of the trade war launched on April 2. The billionaire argues that the tariff-heavy approach directly harms his businesses. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Musk has reportedly lost more than $35 billion in just one week.

This fiery public spat between Musk and Navarro not only exposes divergent views on economic policy but also reflects a shifting dynamic within Trump’s camp — where political alignment no longer guarantees silence.