Elon Musk publicly criticized Peter Navarro, President Donald Trump’s trade adviser, calling him “truly a moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks.” This exchange followed Navarro’s comments on CNBC, where he referred to Musk as merely a “car assembler” due to Tesla’s reliance on imported parts.
Musk responded by referencing a Cars.com study, which ranks Tesla vehicles among the most American-made, to counter Navarro’s claims.
The disagreement stems from the Trump administration’s tariffs on foreign goods, a policy heavily influenced by Navarro. Musk has expressed frustration with these tariffs, stating that they disrupt Tesla’s global supply chain. He has also advocated for a zero-tariff trade agreement between the U.S. and Europe, arguing that sudden tariff changes complicate manufacturing plans.
Despite the public spat, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed the situation, suggesting that “boys will be boys” and allowing the sparring to continue. This incident highlights ongoing tensions within the administration over trade policies and their impact on U.S. businesses.
