Elon Musk Blasts Trump Administration Over Tariffs, Calls Advisor ‘Truly a Moron’

Musk Escalates Feud with Trump Official Over Tariffs

Tensions are rising between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and White House trade advisor Peter Navarro, as the billionaire ramps up his criticism of Navarro’s role in shaping the administration’s controversial tariff policies. UK Government / Wikimedia

Tesla CEO Calls Trade Advisor Navarro “Truly a Moron”

In a blistering X (formerly Twitter) tirade, Musk lambasted Navarro, calling him “truly a moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks.” The verbal attack came in response to Navarro’s comments on CNBC, where he downplayed Tesla’s manufacturing prowess by saying the company is “not a car manufacturer” but merely a “car assembler” reliant on parts from China and Taiwan.

Musk also referred to Navarro as “Peter Retarrdo” in another derogatory comment. GREG LOVETT/THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK

Musk Defends Tesla’s U.S. Manufacturing Credentials

“What he says here is demonstrably false,” Musk fired back online, arguing that “Tesla has the most American-made cars.”

“By any definition whatsoever, Tesla is the most vertically integrated auto manufacturer in America with the highest percentage of US content,” he continued. Trevor Cokley / Wikimedia

Trade War Threatens Tesla’s Global Supply Chain

Musk’s remarks come amid growing tension between Tesla’s global business ambitions and the Trump administration’s protectionist trade policies. The White House’s tariff-driven agenda — championed by trade advisor Peter Navarro — has disrupted international markets and could further complicate Tesla’s already precarious market position. The White House / Wikimedia

Musk Appeals for Global Free Trade at European Summit

Behind the scenes, Musk has attempted a diplomatic route. According to The Washington Post, he personally urged President Trump to reconsider the tariffs. Over the weekend, Musk also appeared at a meeting with Italy’s far-right Lega party, where he publicly called for a global easing of trade restrictions.

“I hope it is agreed that both Europe and the United States should move, ideally, in my view, to a zero-tariff situation, effectively creating a free trade zone between Europe and North America,” Musk told attendees. “That’s what I hope occurs, and also more freedom of people to move between Europe and North America if they wish... they should be allowed to do so, in my view.” The White House / Wikimedia

Trump Proposes New 50% Tariff Despite Industry Concerns

Despite Musk’s pleas, the Trump administration has doubled down. On Monday, the president floated an additional 50 percent tariff on Chinese goods. The White House / Wikimedia

Navarro Becomes Target as Musk Pushes Back on Policy

While Musk has avoided directly targeting Trump, his harsh words for Navarro suggest he’s using the trade advisor as a proxy to air broader frustrations. The stakes are high — especially for Tesla, whose intricate global supply chain is vulnerable to disruption. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia

Musk Warns Tariff Volatility Could Affect U.S. Manufacturing

In a conversation with Joe Rogan last year, Musk cautioned against erratic trade policies: “I think you need to be careful with tariffs. I deal a lot with supply chain issues — like, the global automotive supply chain for Tesla is incredibly complex. So when there are sudden changes in tariffs... it messes everything up, you know?”

“You want to have tariffs be predictable,” he added. “I think companies are more than happy to increase manufacturing in America, it’s just that you can’t do it instantly.” Saul Loeb-Pool via Imagn Images