US President Donald Trump’s trade representative, Peter Navarro, launched a sharp attack on billionaire Elon Musk after Musk’s social media platform, X, fact-checked one of Navarro’s posts. Navarro had accused India of “profiteering” from its purchase of Russian oil and funding Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine.

Navarro Blames India for Supporting Russia

In recent months, Navarro has repeatedly criticized India to defend Trump’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian goods. On Friday, he directly accused New Delhi of buying Russian oil “purely to profit,” claiming the money was fueling Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.

Navarro posted on X: “FACTS: India’s highest tariffs cost US jobs. India buys Russian oil purely to profit/Revenues feed the Russian war machine. Ukrainians/Russians die. U.S. taxpayers shell out more. India can’t handle truth/spins.”

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

X Adds Fact-Check to Navarro’s Post

Hours later, Musk’s platform added a community note under Navarro’s post, providing additional context. The note clarified that India’s oil purchases were for energy security and did not violate international sanctions.

It also pointed out that the United States itself continues to import commodities from Russia, such as uranium and minerals, calling out the double standard in Navarro’s criticism.

The note read, “India’s Russian oil purchases are for energy security, not just profit, & don’t violate sanctions. While India has some tariffs, the US has a trade surplus with it in services. US also continues to import certain commodities from Russia, which is hypocritical.”

Navarro Fires Back at Musk

The fact-check angered Navarro, who accused Musk of allowing “propaganda” on his platform.

He lashed out in another post on X, writing, “Wow. @elonmusk is letting propaganda into people’s posts. That crap note below is just that. Crap. India buys Russian oil solely to profiteer. It didn’t buy any before Russia invaded Ukraine. The Indian government’s spin machine is moving high tilt. Stop killing Ukrainians. Stop taking American jobs.”

Tensions Between Musk and Trump

This clash comes after a brief period of political closeness between Musk and Trump during Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign against then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Their relationship soured following a public dispute over Trump’s controversial “big beautiful bill.”

X Fact-Checks Navarro Again

After Navarro’s angry response, X fact-checked his post for a second time. The platform reiterated that India’s oil purchases were a sovereign decision and did not violate any sanctions or laws.

The note again highlighted the US’s ongoing imports from Russia, pointing to what it described as a “double standard” in Navarro’s argument.

This online clash underscores the rising tensions between the Trump administration, India, and Musk’s platform, with energy security and international trade at the center of the dispute.