Hours following U.S. President Donald Trump's advisor Peter Navarro condemning Elon Musk for having his social media platform X fact-check one of his anti-India posts, Musk joined in with a wider defense of the system. Without mentioning Navarro by name, the billionaire clarified how Community Notes operates independently.
"On this platform, the people decide the narrative. You hear all sides of an argument. Community Notes corrects everyone, no exceptions. Notes, data, and code is public source. Grok provides further fact-checking," Musk wrote in a post on X.
Navarro, who has continually attacked India for its trade policy and relations with Russia, shared another tweet accusing New Delhi of "profiteering" from discounted Russian oil. This time, his remarks were flagged by X users, with fact-checks labeling the accusations as "hypocritical."
"FACTS: India highest tariffs costs US jobs. India buys Russian oil purely to profit/Revenues feed Russia war machine. Ukrainians/Russians die. U.S. taxpayers shell out more. India can't handle truth/spins," the Trump aide wrote.
The Community Notes that accompanied his post rebutted that India's Russian oil imports are for "energy security" and are "not in contravention of sanctions.
Another note added: "Navarro's claims are hypocritical. India's legal, sovereign purchases of Russian oil for energy security do not violate international law."
A second note supported the correction, writing: "Navarro's assertions are hypocritical. India's lawful, sovereign Russian oil purchases for energy security don't breach global law." Another chimed in that while Washington attacks New Delhi, the U.S. itself still imports billions of dollars' worth of Russian goods, including uranium—uncovering a "manifest double standard.
"Wow. @elonmusk is letting propaganda into people's posts. That crap note below is just that. Crap. India buys Russian 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 erstwhile Trump trade advisor has repeatedly targeted India, particularly after Trump imposed secondary tariffs on India for still buying Russian crude. Under Trump's new tariff policy, American duties on Indian exports are now above 50 percent—one of the highest after Brazil.
Soon after the extra levies took effect, Navarro dubbed the Ukraine conflict “Modi’s war” and argued that India’s energy deals with Moscow were sustaining Russia’s military campaign. He has also branded India a “laundromat for the Kremlin” and accused it of running a “profiteering scheme.” In one instance, he even resorted to caste-based slurs while attacking New Delhi.
Trump's extra 25 percent tariff on Indian products took effect on August 27, increasing the total tariff rate to 50 percent. The move heightened tension between Washington and New Delhi. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, where he was observed warmly interacting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin—indicating a solidarity figure in the face of their own differences with the U.S.
Days later, Trump claimed that the US "lost India to China". However, he clarified later, saying he "does not believe so". He also called India-US ties a "very special relationship" and affirmed that he and PM Modi would "always be friends".
Modi responded by stating he "fully reciprocates" Trump's sentiments, indicating both parties are willing to mend their fractured relationships.
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