Peter Navarro Slams India Again After Being Fact-Checked on X.
US President Donald Trump’s aide Peter Navarro lashed out at Elon Musk after X flagged his post accusing India of profiteering from Russian oil imports. The White House trade adviser, who has repeatedly criticized New Delhi over energy purchases from Moscow, claimed India was buying Russian oil “purely to profit” and to feed the Russian “war machine” in Ukraine.
In his post, Navarro wrote: “FACTS: India highest tariffs costs 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.”
X intervened with a community note, highlighting that India’s purchases were for “energy security” and did not violate sanctions. The note also pointed out that the US continues to import uranium and other commodities from Russia, calling Navarro’s accusations hypocritical.
Navarro responded furiously, targeting Musk directly. “Wow. Elon Musk is letting propaganda into people’s posts… India buys Russia oil solely to profiteer… Stop killing Ukrainians. Stop taking American jobs,” he wrote.
X issued another fact-check, emphasizing that India’s energy trade is a sovereign decision and does not breach international law. The note further highlighted the US’s “double standard” in continuing to import Russian goods while pressuring New Delhi.
Navarro’s attacks come amid heightened trade tensions following Trump’s announcement of a 25% additional duty on Indian imports, citing Russian oil purchases as justification. Navarro has repeatedly used inflammatory language against India, calling it the “Maharaja of tariffs,” a “laundromat for the Kremlin,” and referring to the Ukraine conflict as “Modi’s war.”
His controversial remarks, including a statement that “Brahmins are profiteering at the expense of Indian people,” were firmly rejected by New Delhi. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen some inaccurate statements made by him. We reject them.”
The episode unfolds months after Navarro’s erstwhile ally, Elon Musk, briefly worked alongside Trump during the 2024 election campaign. While Trump has maintained cordial remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India-US relations, Navarro continues to escalate his attacks.
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