September 8, 2025
NEW DELHI – White House Trade Advisor and top aide of US President Donald Trump, Peter Navarro, has lashed out at Elon Musk after his anti-India post on X was flagged with community notes.
Navarro, who has been targeting India over its purchase of Russian oil, had alleged that India was buying Russian energy products for profit, claiming that revenue was feeding the Russian war machine in Ukraine.
However, his post was fact-checked with community notes, a feature that Elon Musk’s X has launched to tackle fake and misleading information.
The community notes exposed the US double standards, stating that “While condemning others, the US still imports billions in Russian goods yearly, including fertilisers and uranium essential for its agriculture and energy sectors, revealing a clear double standard in its trade stance.
Navarro got offended by the community note on his post and accused Musk of allowing 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 Ukrainians. Stop taking American jobs,” he said.
The ties between India and the US are under strain after Trump’s imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports to the United States. Of that, 25 per cent was a penalty for purchasing Russian oil.
While India has defended its energy imports for domestic needs, the US alleges that it gives necessary resources to Russia to continue its war in Ukraine.