Tesla CEO Elon Musk broke his silence on the U.S.–China tariff war with pointed criticism of Trump adviser Peter Navarro, following a market crash that cost Musk billions. The 34% tariff imposed by President Donald Trump has sparked a full-blown trade retaliation from China—bad news for Tesla, which relies heavily on imported Chinese components.
Musk Calls Out Harvard Elites
In response to a CNN video of Navarro justifying the tariffs, Musk tweeted:
“A PhD in Econ from Harvard is a bad thing, not a good thing. Results in the ego/brains >> 1 problem.”
He followed up by agreeing with a quote mocking Harvard’s influence on American disasters and took a jab at Navarro by replying to a supporter:
“He ain’t build s**t.”
Navarro isn’t alone in Musk’s crosshairs—Council of Economic Advisers chair Stephen Mira, also a Harvard PhD, is under scrutiny for supporting the tariff move.
Tesla’s Global Stakes at Risk
The tariff fallout is particularly concerning for Musk, who’s already dealing with international skepticism around Tesla and its future ventures. The new trade war threatens the electric vehicle giant’s supply chain and pricing stability.
Stepping Away from Government Role
Musk’s 130-day special advisory role with the Department of Energy (DOGE) is nearing its end. While Trump expressed interest in retaining Musk, the billionaire seems poised to return full-time to his business empire.
Bottom Line
As Musk clashes with Trump’s economic team, his tweets reflect growing frustration with policies that hurt innovation and global collaboration. With retaliatory tariffs now in place, the heat is rising—for markets, manufacturers, and Musk alike.
