Peter Navarro Denies Rift With Elon Musk After Being Called a ‘Moron’ Over Trade Policy Dispute

Former White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has denied any lasting conflict with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, days after a fiery social media exchange where Musk called him a “moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks.”

The spat highlights broader tensions surrounding U.S. trade policy, domestic manufacturing, and the use of foreign components in American-made products.

The Origin of the Dispute

Navarro, who served as the Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy under former President Donald Trump, ignited controversy when he claimed that Tesla was not truly a U.S. automaker but a “car assembler.”

In an interview, Navarro argued that Tesla heavily relies on foreign-sourced components like batteries and chips from China, Japan, and Taiwan, suggesting the company’s “Made in USA” claim was misleading. He emphasized that the Trump administration’s new tariffs aimed to push companies toward more domestic production.

“Tesla’s supply chain is foreign. It’s time for American companies to really commit to American workers,” Navarro said during a panel appearance.
— Voz.us

Musk Fires Back

Musk responded with a scathing post on X (formerly Twitter), calling Navarro a “moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks.” He defended Tesla’s American manufacturing credentials, citing studies that place Tesla among the top U.S. companies for domestic content in vehicles.

“Tesla is literally the most American-made car company,” Musk wrote. “Navarro clearly doesn’t understand how manufacturing works.”
— NYPost

Musk has long positioned Tesla as a leader in American innovation, and multiple analyses support his claim. For instance, the 2023 Cars.com American-Made Index ranked Tesla’s Model Y, Model 3, and Model X among the top in U.S.-sourced components and assembly.

Navarro Downplays the Dispute

Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Navarro downplayed the personal nature of the insults, stating that he’s been called worse and insisting that he and Musk are on friendly terms.

“Elon and I are great. We both want what’s best for the country—he just says it differently than I do,” Navarro said.
— Reuters

Despite the jabs, Navarro reaffirmed his support for innovation and even praised Musk’s efforts to eliminate government waste. However, he stood by his critique that U.S. tech firms should rely less on foreign components.

A Clash Rooted in Policy, Not Personality

While the public exchange may appear personal, it reflects deeper ideological divides about America’s trade direction—especially under Donald Trump’s ongoing influence on GOP economic policy.

Navarro is a staunch protectionist and key architect behind the Trump administration’s tariff-heavy trade agenda. His recent support of new 104% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and components is part of a broader push to reduce reliance on overseas manufacturing.

Meanwhile, Musk has repeatedly spoken against excessive tariffs, arguing that global cooperation—especially with allies like Europe—is crucial for innovation and economic growth.

“Zero tariffs, zero subsidies, and free trade between the U.S. and Europe would be ideal,” Musk wrote in a 2024 post on X.

For trade policy updates: Visit U.S. Trade Representative Office
For current tariff structures: Refer to U.S. International Trade Commission

Broader Implications for U.S. Industry

This high-profile clash has reignited conversations about what qualifies as “American-made.” While Tesla has built massive gigafactories in states like Nevada, Texas, and California, critics argue that assembling imported parts on U.S. soil is not enough.

However, data shows that Tesla contributes significantly to U.S. manufacturing jobs, with tens of thousands employed across its plants. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, domestic manufacturing employment has grown in recent years, partly driven by electric vehicle production.

Conclusion

In the end, the Musk-Navarro dispute reflects the larger national debate on how best to support American jobs and industry in an increasingly globalized economy. While the insults drew headlines, the real story lies in competing visions for America’s economic future.

Whether through protectionist policies or global trade partnerships, the future of U.S. manufacturing remains a key issue as the country heads into another election cycle.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.