Elon Musk’s brother, Kimbal Musk, has publicly urged President Trump to dismiss senior trade advisor Peter Navarro following a heated exchange regarding tariffs and Tesla’s manufacturing processes. This call to action comes amidst escalating tensions between Musk and Navarro over the implications of Trump’s trade policies.
The conflict began when Navarro criticized Tesla’s manufacturing model, claiming that the company is merely an assembler rather than a true manufacturer. This statement sparked a fierce response from Elon Musk, who took to social media to defend his company’s reputation.
Musk’s rebuttal included strong language, calling Navarro “truly a moron” and asserting that his claims were “demonstrably false.” He further ridiculed Navarro by referencing a fictitious expert named Ron Vara, suggesting that Navarro’s arguments lacked credibility.
The backdrop of this feud is the recent announcement by President Trump regarding new tariffs aimed at imported vehicles. The proposed 25% tariff is part of a broader strategy to bolster American manufacturing, a goal that Navarro has championed. However, Musk has advocated for a different approach, proposing a “zero-tariff situation” between the U.S. and Europe, which Navarro criticized as unrealistic.
Navarro defended the tariffs by stating that many parts used in Tesla vehicles are imported from countries like Japan, China, and Taiwan. He argued that the tariffs are necessary to promote domestic manufacturing, a point that Musk vehemently disputes.
In the midst of this public spat, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt weighed in, suggesting that the conflict between Musk and Navarro is typical of spirited debates in politics, remarking that “boys will be boys.”
The ongoing feud between Musk and Navarro raises significant questions about the future of Tesla and the broader automotive industry in the context of U.S. trade policy. As tariffs could potentially increase the cost of imported parts, the financial implications for Tesla could be substantial.
@realDonaldTrump Mr President, if Peter Navarro has lied to you about Ron Vara, what else has he lied to you about?
🇺🇸Put America first and fire him! 🇺🇸
— 𝙺𝚒𝚖𝚋𝚊𝚕 𝙼𝚞𝚜𝚔 🤠 (@kimbal) April 8, 2025
