The spat between Elon Musk and Peter Navarro over the weekend has exposed deeper divisions within President Donald Trump’s MAGA coalition. The trade war is fueling the feud, with both men having varying views on tariffs.
Trump’s supporters have been split into different factions, including old MAGA supporters like Navarro, conservatives who are skeptical of Washington institutions, and new tech-backed MAGA types like Musk. However, the lines between these groups are becoming increasingly blurred as the trade war takes its toll on stock portfolios.
The feud has raised concerns about the real-world implications of Trump’s tariffs policy, with some critics warning of an “economic nuclear war.” Wall Street titans like Jamie Dimon and JPMorgan Chase have also voiced their concerns about the impact of tariffs on inflation and economic uncertainty.
Despite White House claims that negotiations are underway with several countries, including Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea, many in MAGA world remain skeptical. The latest development has sparked a debate about whether Trump’s love of tariffs is more than just politics, but a genuine attempt to address trade imbalances.
The spat between Musk and Navarro serves as a proxy for the deeper divisions within the coalition. As the trade war rages on, it remains to be seen how this will affect MAGA supporters’ views on the issue.
Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/08/musks-navarro-rift-trump-coalition-00279457