It’s not every day you see a public spat between two of Donald Trump’s most high-profile allies, but that’s exactly what happened this week—and it’s turning heads in Washington and beyond.
Elon Musk and former Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro have gone head-to-head in a fiery exchange over the president’s aggressive new tariff policy. And let’s just say… things got personal fast.
“Boys Will Be Boys”: White House Tries to Stay Out of It
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt didn’t seem too fazed by the drama.
When asked about the Musk-Navarro feud during Tuesday’s press briefing, she shrugged it off with a smile and a one-liner: “Boys will be boys.”
But she quickly pivoted to praising the administration’s openness to differing opinions—even heated ones.
“You should all be grateful we have the most transparent administration in history,” Leavitt added. “The president listens to everyone.
He takes all perspectives into account before making decisions in the best interest of the American people.”
The Feud Gets Ugly Online
So, what kicked off this war of words? Navarro took a jab at Musk during a TV interview, downplaying the Tesla CEO’s manufacturing cred by saying Musk was more of a “car assembler” than a true manufacturer.
He also pointed out that Tesla relies on parts from foreign countries like China, Japan, and Taiwan.
Musk wasn’t having it. He lashed out on X (formerly Twitter), calling Navarro “dumber than a sack of bricks” and a “moron.” Not exactly polite disagreement.
The back-and-forth escalated from there, with Musk mocking Navarro’s Harvard economics PhD, saying, “A PhD in Econ from Harvard is a bad thing, not a good thing. Results in the ego/brains >>1 problem.”
Musk’s Fortune Takes a Hit, and He’s Not Happy
The timing of all this wasn’t ideal for Musk. The stock market nosedived following Trump’s new tariffs, and Musk—who has billions tied up in Tesla and other ventures—personally lost a huge chunk of money.
Wall Street saw its worst trading week in five years, and Musk blamed the tariffs.
Navarro tried to calm investors on CNN, insisting the tariffs would pay off eventually. Musk, clearly unconvinced, fired back online: “He ain’t built s**.”*
“He Wants the Cheap Parts”: Navarro Dismisses Musk Again
Navarro didn’t back down. He brushed off Musk’s criticism by essentially saying: look, Musk is a “car guy,” of course he wants cheap foreign parts.
But Musk wasn’t done defending himself. He hit back hard, saying Tesla is “the most vertically integrated auto manufacturer in America,” with the highest percentage of U.S.-made content.
And he’s not wrong—Trump himself has praised Tesla in the past, even calling Musk a “patriot” during a White House event.
Back then, Trump defended the company against left-wing critics and vandals who targeted Tesla dealerships.
Musk’s Break with Team Trump Comes Amid Sudden Exit
This public break between Musk and Trump’s circle comes just days after it was announced that Musk would be stepping down early from his role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
He also reportedly tried—unsuccessfully—to get Trump to walk back the tariffs over the weekend.
It’s the most visible rift yet between Musk and the president, who recently announced a sweeping 10% tariff on all imports, with even steeper hikes for some countries.
Musk Proposes Free Trade with Europe—Trump Isn’t Interested
While speaking virtually at a political event in Italy over the weekend, Musk floated the idea of zero tariffs between the U.S. and Europe. Trump’s response? Not exactly enthusiastic.
“Europe has made a fortune off us,” the president told reporters aboard Air Force One.
“They’ve treated us very badly.” He added that talks would only happen if European countries start coughing up serious money annually.
Falling Tesla Sales Add to the Pressure
As all this drama unfolds, Tesla is dealing with its own problems.
Sales have taken a hit, partly due to public backlash against Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration.
Economists are also warning that the tariffs could reignite inflation and raise prices for everyday Americans—something that could be politically damaging for a president who promised to lower the cost of living.
Trump’s Trade Team Says It’s Working
Despite the chaos, Trump’s top trade rep, Jamieson Greer, told Congress that the tariff strategy is already showing results.
Speaking at a Senate Finance Committee hearing, he claimed nearly 50 countries have reached out wanting to strike deals.
Countries like Argentina, Vietnam, and Israel have reportedly offered to lower their own tariffs.
Greer also said companies are cancelling layoffs and pouring $4 trillion in new investments into the U.S.
A Shift Back to “Made in America”?
Greer painted a broader picture of what the White House is aiming for: reversing decades of job losses and factory closures tied to free trade agreements.
He acknowledged that progress won’t happen overnight but said the country needs to move away from an economy overly dependent on finance and government spending—and back to producing actual goods.
Wall Street Rebounds (For Now)
After days of market turmoil, stocks rebounded Tuesday morning as hopes for new trade deals lifted global markets.
But whether this rally lasts—or whether more Twitter-fueled feuds derail the messaging—remains to be seen.