Peter Navarro, an aide to US President Donald Trump, has criticised Elon Musk after X (formerly Twitter) added a community note to one of his posts. Navarro’s post had accused India of profiting from its imports of Russian oil. For several days, the White House trade adviser has been targeting New Delhi over its energy purchases from Moscow, claiming that India was buying Russian oil "purely to profit" and to fund the Russian "war machine" in Ukraine.
In a post on X, Navarro stated: "FACTS: India highest tariffs cost US jobs. 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."
Hours later, Musk’s platform added a community note titled "Readers added context they thought people might want to know." The note explained that India's Russian oil purchases were for "energy security" and did not violate sanctions.
It also highlighted that the United States itself continued to import uranium and other minerals from Russia, calling the situation "hypocritical." The note read: "India's Russian oil purchases are for energy security, not just profit, and don't violate sanctions. While India has some tariffs, the US has a trade surplus with it in services. The US also continues to import certain commodities from Russia which is hypocritical."
Angered by the fact-check, Navarro then directed his criticism at Musk. He wrote: "Wow. Elon Musk 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 government spin machine moving high tilt. Stop killing Ukrainians. Stop taking American jobs."
This post was also fact-checked by X, which noted that India’s energy trade was a sovereign decision and did not violate international law. The platform once again pointed out what it called America’s "double standard" for pressuring New Delhi while continuing to import Russian commodities. The note stated: "Navarro's claims are hypocritical. India's legal, sovereign purchases of Russian oil for energy security do not violate international law. The US, while pressuring India, continues to import billions in Russian goods, like uranium, exposing a clear double standard."
Also Read: Navarro calls India a ‘laundromat’ for Kremlin, rejects oil need
This online dispute is the latest development in a series of sustained attacks on India by Navarro. The attacks began after Trump announced an additional 25pc duty on Indian imports, raising total tariffs to 50pc from August 27 and citing Russia's oil purchases as justification.
Navarro has previously referred to India as the "Maharaja of tariffs" and a "laundromat for the Kremlin." He has also called the Ukraine conflict "Modi's war." In one of his most controversial remarks, he said, "Brahmins are profiteering at the expense of Indian people," a comment that New Delhi firmly rejected. On Friday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We have seen some inaccurate statements made by him. We reject them."
The controversy also comes just months after Navarro's boss, Donald Trump, and Elon Musk shared a brief period of political camaraderie during the 2024 election campaign. Musk had been set to head Trump’s DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) in his administration.
However, that relationship, once described as a "bromance," reportedly ended in June over the President's "One Big Beautiful Bill." While Trump himself has appeared to soften his tone, describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his "friend" and stressing that India-US relations are "special," Navarro has shown no signs of backing down.
Also Read: Navarro calls Ukraine crisis Modi’s war
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