Elon Musk turns on Donald Trump with four-word smackdown of tariff architect
Washington D.C.: A DOGE-free Elon Musk has publicly diverged from Donald Trump’s tariff policies, sparking rumors that the billionaire might be turning his massive wealth against the MAGA movement and its architects.
While Trump declared 'Liberation Day' by imposing steep tariffs — including 20% on European imports — Musk advocated for a “zero tariff situation” between the US and Europe to foster a free trade zone.
Speaking at a virtual rally for Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO emphasized collaboration over isolationism. “I hope the US and Europe can establish a very close partnership,” Musk said, pushing for a unified trade approach. His comments came just a day after Trump announced sweeping tariffs, which triggered a market plunge and cost Musk billions in personal wealth.
The rift deepened when Musk criticized Trump’s trade advisor, Peter Navarro, on X. Navarro, a Harvard-trained economist, defended the tariffs on CNN, arguing they would correct trade imbalances. Musk dismissed his reasoning, writing, “A PhD in Econ from Harvard is a bad thing,” and later adding, “He ain’t built s***.” His late-night posts included agreeing with a meme blaming Harvard alumni for historical disasters.
ALSO READ
MAGA revolt brewing as Donald Trump's tariffs likened to 'a pile of rakes'
Musk’s resignation from Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) further fueled speculation of a policy split. While the administration framed his exit as pre-planned, the timing — amid his vocal tariff opposition — suggested deeper disagreements.
Public reaction was divided, with some Trump supporters accusing Musk of undermining the administration. “Aren’t you guys on the same team?” one X user questioned. Meanwhile, protests erupted in Washington over Musk’s DOGE cuts, disrupting White House events.