Former Trump administration advisor Peter Navarro has launched an attack against Elon Musk after his posts on X, formerly Twitter, were fact-checked by the platform's community notes feature. The dispute centers around Navarro's claims regarding India's purchase of Russian oil.

Navarro has repeatedly accused India of buying Russian oil solely to profit, alleging that these revenues feed the Russian war machine and exacerbate the conflict in Ukraine. He insists that India did not purchase Russian oil before the invasion of Ukraine. These claims have been widely circulated by Navarro on X, often accompanying criticism of India's tariffs and trade practices.

However, Navarro's assertions have been challenged by X's community notes, which provide context and fact-checking on potentially misleading posts. In this instance, the community note on Navarro's post stated that India's oil trade with Russia is for "energy security, not just profit" and that it does not violate any sanctions. The note also pointed out that the United States continues to import certain commodities from Russia, implying a degree of hypocrisy.

In response, Navarro has lashed out at Elon Musk, accusing him of allowing "propaganda" on the X platform. He dismissed the community note as "crap" and reiterated his accusations against India. "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 Ukrainians. Stop taking American jobs," Navarro wrote on X.

Navarro's attacks are the latest in a series of criticisms he has leveled against India regarding its trade relationship with Russia. He has previously accused India of using "American dollars" to buy discounted Russian crude oil, thus providing a financial lifeline to Putin's war machine. He has also made controversial statements about "Brahmins profiteering at the expense of the Indian people," which have been rejected by the Indian government as inaccurate and culturally insensitive.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed Navarro's comments as "inaccurate and misleading statements," reiterating India's stance on the issue.

This is not the first time Musk and Navarro have clashed. In April 2025, they engaged in a heated exchange over tariffs, with Musk calling Navarro "Peter Retarrdo" and "dumber than a sack of bricks". The White House downplayed the feud at the time, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying, "Boys will be boys, and we will let their public sparring continue".

The current spat highlights the ongoing debate surrounding India's foreign policy and its relationship with Russia. Despite Western pressure, India has maintained its ties with Russia, citing its energy security needs and historical relationship. This has drawn criticism from some quarters, particularly in the United States, where voices like Navarro's have accused India of undermining efforts to isolate Russia and end the war in Ukraine.

The incident also raises questions about the role of social media platforms like X in moderating content and combating misinformation. While X's community notes feature is designed to provide context and fact-checking, it has also been accused of being "gamed by governments & legacy media," according to Musk. This incident underscores the challenges of maintaining neutrality and ensuring accuracy in the face of politically charged debates.