Musk Defends X Fact-Checks After Trump Aide Navarro’s Anti-India Post on Russian Oil

Hours after former US President Donald Trump’s aide Peter Navarro criticized India over its Russian oil imports, Elon Musk defended his platform X’s community-driven fact-checking system. Navarro, who has been vocal against India’s trade and foreign policy, alleged that New Delhi was “profiteering” from discounted Russian oil and that such revenues were fueling Moscow’s war efforts.

However, his post was quickly flagged by X’s Community Notes, which clarified that India’s purchases are primarily for “energy security” and do not breach international sanctions. The fact-check further highlighted that while India maintains some tariffs, the US enjoys a trade surplus with India in services and continues to import certain commodities from Russia, revealing a double standard.

Responding indirectly, Musk stated, “On this platform, people decide the narrative. Community Notes corrects everyone, no exceptions.” He emphasized the transparency of the system, noting that notes, data, and code remain open-source.

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Unfazed, Navarro dismissed the fact-check as “propaganda” and reiterated his claims, further escalating tensions. The episode comes amid Trump’s imposition of steep tariffs on Indian imports, raising bilateral trade friction. Despite the strain, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump have signaled willingness to maintain a “special relationship” between India and the US.