Overview

• Elon Musk called Peter Navarro a 'moron' and 'dumber than a sack of bricks' in response to Navarro's claim that Tesla is a 'car assembler' reliant on foreign parts.
• Navarro, a key architect of Trump’s tariff policy, defended the tariffs as essential for boosting U.S. manufacturing, while Musk advocates for free trade and a zero-tariff approach.
• Musk highlighted Tesla’s status as the most American-made and vertically integrated auto manufacturer, citing independent studies to counter Navarro’s assertions.
• The dispute underscores deeper divisions within Trump’s advisory circle over trade policy and the broader impact of sweeping tariffs on the U.S. economy.
• Despite the heated language, Navarro downplayed the feud, stating there is no personal rift, while the White House characterized the exchange as a difference of opinion.