Navarro vs. Musk: White House Unfazed by Public Feud Over Tariffs

The Trump administration is brushing off the ongoing public spat between senior trade adviser Peter Navarro and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, viewing the disagreement as a sign of its “transparent” approach to governance rather than a cause for concern.

The dispute began when Navarro, a key proponent of President Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, criticized Tesla’s reliance on foreign-made components during a televised interview. Musk, a longtime advocate of free trade, fired back on social media, calling Navarro a “moron” and dismissing his economic expertise.

As tensions escalated, Navarro countered by labeling Musk a “car assembler” rather than a true manufacturer, emphasizing the administration’s goal of keeping automobile production within US borders. Musk responded with a series of posts asserting that Tesla vehicles contain the highest percentage of American-made parts among all automakers.

Despite the heated exchange, the White House has made it clear that it has no intention of stepping in. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed concerns, stating, “Boys will be boys,” and suggesting that the public dispute reflects the administration’s openness to different perspectives.

A senior White House adviser echoed this sentiment, saying, “The fact is, we like it,” emphasizing that the administration welcomes robust internal debate—even when it spills into the public sphere.

The tariff policy at the center of the debate has already contributed to stock market volatility, raising concerns among investors and economic analysts. While the administration remains firm in its pro-tariff stance, some advisers—such as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick—have presented differing views on how broadly the tariffs should be applied.

Musk’s vocal opposition highlights the division between free-market advocates and protectionist policymakers within Trump’s circle. Despite his role as a senior adviser to the president, Musk has had little influence on tariff decisions, given his position as a globalist and a businessman with extensive interests in China.

Axios, CNN, and the Washington Post contributed to this report.