In an escalating public dispute, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, publicly criticized Peter Navarro, a prominent trade advisor in the Trump administration, during a video this Tuesday.

Musk's comments were made in response to Navarro's assertion that Musk is not a legitimate car manufacturer but merely an assembler who relies on imported parts from Asia.

In the video, Navarro emphasized the need for American manufacturing and called for the production of tires and engines within the United States, indicating a stark divergence in their view of manufacturing practices.

Navarro's remarks were part of a broader discussion featured in an interview with CNBC.

Musk countered Navarro's comments by stating, "Navarro is really an idiot.

What he says is false and easily demonstrable." He also claimed that among manufacturers, Tesla utilizes the highest percentage of American-made components.

Musk further remarked that Navarro should inquire about a purported expert named Ron Vara, whom Navarro has quoted in his writings, suggesting that this expert is fictitious as the name is an anagram of Navarro's own.

This dispute arises amidst ongoing debates about trade and manufacturing in the United States, especially under the Trump administration's protectionist policies, which Navarro has significantly influenced.

Recently, these policies culminated in the announcement of tariffs against certain U.S. trading partners.

Reports have highlighted tensions between Musk and other members of the Trump administration, centered on issues surrounding Musk’s approach to federal operations and dismantling various governmental sections.

Although Trump has expressed support for Musk, he recently suggested that Musk's role on the government efficiency commission would not be a permanent position and indicated that Musk might eventually need to refocus on Tesla as the company faces declining sales and stock prices.