Why is Trump aide Peter Navarro clashing with Elon Musk again, this time over India?

The long-running feud between White House trade adviser Peter Navarro and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has once again burst into the open — this time triggered by India’s purchase of Russian oil and a fact-checking feature on Musk’s social media platform, X.

The latest clash began on Saturday, when Navarro accused India of exploiting the Ukraine war for profit.

In a sharply worded post on X, Navarro claimed that India had not previously purchased Russian crude but began doing so after the invasion of Ukraine, solely for financial gain.

“India didn’t buy any [Russian oil] before Russia invaded Ukraine,” Navarro wrote.

“India buys Russian oil purely to profit/Revenues feed Russia war machine. Ukrainians/Russians die. US taxpayers shell out more. India can’t handle truth/spins.”

Navarro also linked India’s trade policies to American job losses, arguing that high tariffs imposed by India hurt US workers. “India highest tariffs costs US jobs,” he added.

FACTS: India highest tariffs costs U.S. jobs. India buys Russian oil purely to profit/Revenues feed Russia war machine. Ukrainians/Russians die. U.S. taxpayers shell out more. India can’t handle truth/spins @washpo
Leftist American fake news. QED. https://t.co/9UwdodYBEe

— Peter Navarro (@RealPNavarro) September 5, 2025

The post quickly drew attention and was soon appended with a Community Note — X’s crowdsourced fact-checking feature, which Musk has championed since acquiring the platform (formerly Twitter).

The note provided context, countering Navarro’s claims by explaining that India’s oil imports from Russia were legal and motivated by energy security concerns rather than profiteering.

It also highlighted an inconsistency in US policy, pointing out that Washington continues to import certain Russian commodities even as it criticises other countries for doing the same.

“India’s legal, sovereign purchases of Russian oil for energy security do not violate international law,” the note stated.

“The US, while pressuring India, continues to import billions in Russian goods, like uranium, exposing a clear double standard.”

How Navarro lashed out at Musk and X

The addition of the Community Note provoked an immediate and angry response from Navarro. Directly addressing Musk, he accused the platform of spreading foreign propaganda and undermining domestic political discourse.

“Wow. @elonmusk is letting propaganda into people’s posts. That crap note below is just that. Crap,” Navarro posted.

Wow. @elonmusk is letting propaganda into people’s posts. That crap note below is just that. Crap. India buys Russia oil solely to profiteer. It didn’t buy any before Russia invaded Ukraine. Indian govt spin machine moving high tilt. Stop killing Ukranians. Stop taking… https://t.co/Uj1NMUrVOM

— Peter Navarro (@RealPNavarro) September 6, 2025

He followed up with a series of posts questioning whether X should allow what he described as misleading narratives from foreign actors to influence American economic and political debates.

“Should X put up posts like one below where foreign interests masquerade as objective observers and interfere with domestic US economics and politics? See SCREEN SHOT! Take poll on next post,” Navarro wrote on Monday.

🧵 Should X put up posts like one below where foreign interests masquerade as objective observers and interfere with domestic U.S. economics and politics? See SCREEN SHOT! Take poll on next post. pic.twitter.com/xb1wakeWFV

— Peter Navarro (@RealPNavarro) September 8, 2025

In another post, he alleged that Indian special interests were attempting to shape American conversations about trade and foreign policy, “On earlier post, you can see Indian special interests trying to interfere with domestic dialogue with lies about India buying Russian oil. Should X present this crap as comments from ‘diverse viewpoints’?”

Navarro has repeatedly accused India of serving as what he calls “Kremlin’s laundromat,” arguing that its oil purchases help fund Russia’s war effort in Ukraine while New Delhi simultaneously seeks defence partnerships and technology transfers from the United States.

Just a week earlier, he had criticised India for what he described as “strategic freeloading,” claiming that while India continues to buy Russian weapons, it also pressures American defence companies to set up manufacturing plants in the country.

How Musk defended X and its fact-checking system

Musk, who remains a central figure in Washington despite stepping down as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) in May, defended X and its fact-checking mechanisms.

On Sunday the day after Navarro’s initial outburst, Musk wrote a series of posts highlighting X’s role in fostering open debate and combating misinformation through tools like Community Notes and Grok, its AI-driven fact-checking system.

“On this platform, the people decide the narrative. You hear all sides of an argument. Community Notes corrects everyone, no exceptions,” Musk stated.

On this platform, the people decide the narrative.

You hear all sides of an argument.

Community Notes corrects everyone, no exceptions. Notes data & code is public source.

Grok provides further fact-checking.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 7, 2025

He also contrasted this user-driven approach with what he described as the failures of mainstream media. “As recent events have shown all too clearly, you can’t trust the legacy (fka mainstream) news at all,” Musk wrote.

“They lie relentlessly or simply ignore major stories that don’t fit their collectively decided narrative.”

As recent events have shown all too clearly, you can’t trust the legacy (fka mainstream) news at all.

They lie relentlessly or simply ignore major stories that don’t fit their collectively decided narrative. https://t.co/Uny5AzwaDs

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 7, 2025

Musk also pointed out the transparency of X’s systems, noting that the data and code for Community Notes are publicly available. He argued that this openness allows for greater accountability than traditional top-down content moderation policies.

Unlike traditional fact-checking models, which rely on centralised editorial decisions, Community Notes operates by gathering input from users across the political spectrum. A note is only published when a diverse group of contributors rates it as helpful, creating a decentralised form of moderation.

How the Musk-Navarro feud goes back months

The current dispute is just the latest chapter in a deeply personal rivalry between Musk and Navarro that has been simmering for months.

Their conflict initially emerged over US President Donald Trump’s ambitious tariff policies, which were rolled out earlier this year.

In April, Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on imported goods, a policy victory for Navarro, who has long advocated for trade barriers to boost domestic manufacturing. The announcement, dubbed “Liberation Day” by Trump allies, was seen as a defining moment for the administration’s economic agenda.

Musk, whose companies depend on global supply chains, immediately criticised the policy. He publicly called for “zero tariffs” between countries, arguing that protectionist measures would harm innovation and competitiveness.

The disagreement quickly turned personal. Navarro mocked Musk’s position by dismissing his role in the automotive industry.

In an interview with CNBC at the time, Navarro said, “When it comes to tariffs and trade, we all understand in the White House — and the American people understand — that Elon is a car manufacturer, but he’s not a car manufacturer. He’s a car assembler. He wants the cheap foreign parts.”

Musk retaliated with a series of scathing remarks on X. He referred to Navarro as “truly a moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks.”

Navarro is truly a moron. What he says here is demonstrably false.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 8, 2025

Musk also derided Navarro’s academic credentials, writing, “A PhD in econ from Harvard is a bad thing, not a good thing.”

The insults escalated further when Musk mocked Navarro for having cited “Ron Vara,” a fictional trade expert Navarro once invented to support his arguments against China.

Although Navarro initially attempted to downplay the feud, saying in a television appearance that “Elon and I are fine,” tensions have now resurfaced again.

How White House tried to contain the fallout

At a press briefing in April, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked whether Musk’s sharp criticism of Navarro might undermine public understanding of Trump’s trade policies.

“No. Look, these are obviously two individuals who have very different views on trade and on tariffs,” Leavitt responded.

“Boys will be boys and we will let their public sparring continue. And you guys should all be very grateful that we have the most transparent administration in history.”

Leavitt highlighted that Trump values hearing a wide range of perspectives before making decisions.

“It also speaks to the president’s willingness to hear from all sides that he has people at the highest levels of this government, in this White House, who have very diverse opinions on very diverse issues. But the president takes all opinions in mind, and then he makes the best decision based on the best interests of the American public,” she said.

A look at the broader context: US-India relations

The dispute between Musk and Navarro comes against the backdrop of growing tensions between Washington and New Delhi. On August 6, Trump imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, citing India’s continued purchases of Russian oil as the justification.

The move caused friction between the two countries, with New Delhi rejecting the characterisation of its energy policy as undermining US interests.

India has consistently argued that its imports are necessary to ensure affordable and stable energy supplies for its population and do not violate international laws or sanctions.

In recent days, there have been signs of a possible thaw. Last week, Trump sought to reassure both sides, telling reporters from the Oval Office, “India and the US have a special relationship and there is nothing to worry about. I’ll always be friends with (Narendra) Modi, he’s a great prime minister.”

Just hours later, Modi responded warmly, posting on X that he “deeply” appreciated and “fully” reciprocated Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of bilateral ties.

Despite these conciliatory statements, Navarro’s aggressive rhetoric — including describing India as an “oil money laundromat for the Kremlin” — has been seen as potentially undermining Trump’s diplomatic efforts.

A report by The Washington Post noted that the inflammatory language used by some members of the Trump administration is “deepening the crisis in the relationship,” even as other officials work to stabilise ties with New Delhi.

With inputs from agencies

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