Kimbal Musk, entrepreneur and younger brother of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, stirred up a storm on social media after thanking President Trump for a 90-day tariff pause.
He posted on X on Wednesday: “Thank you President Trump, on behalf of all Americans and the world for your 90 day pause. A healthy negotiated outcome that sets us all up for success is the goal.”
The post drew swift and mixed reactions, with some seeing it as loyalty to Trump and others accusing Kimbal of flip-flopping.
One user wrote, “Why are we thanking him as he clowns around with our 401k’s exactly??”
Tariff Criticism Draws Fire
Despite the heat, Kimbal continued to challenge the administration’s broader tariff strategy.
In a separate post, he claimed, “Republicans for higher prices. How about that. This Trump tariff-tax has driven prices for everyday goods through the roof.”
He also called out Sen. J.D. Vance, saying, “I read your book. It’s good. I’d think you’d have more sympathy for your community’s cost of living.”
One user said, “Kimbal what’s the strategy here? I hear your points, what are u proposing? We have $37T debt with a $2T deficit. Is there a path forward?”
Another wrote, “Can you like relax for 18 months and give this a chance dude?”
A Permanent Tax on the Consumer?
In another post, Kimbal argued that tariffs act as a permanent tax on consumers.
“Through his tariff strategy, Trump has implemented a structural, permanent tax on the American consumer,” he wrote. “Even if he is successful in bringing jobs on shore through the tariff tax, prices will remain high.”
He continued, “A tax on consumption also means less consumption. Which means less jobs. Which in turn results in less consumption. And then even less jobs.”
These comments came just days after Trump unveiled aggressive tariffs targeting major global economies, including China and the European Union.
Kimbal responded sharply, saying, “Who would have thought that Trump was actually the most high-tax American President in generations.”
When asked why foreign governments are so upset if American consumers are footing the bill, Kimbal answered: “Other countries care because a tax reduces consumption of their goods. Reduced consumption does not create more jobs in America. The net outcome is less jobs on both sides of the borders, and higher prices in America.”
Elon, Navarro, and Tensions in Trumpworld
Kimbal’s remarks came amid rising tension between Trump allies. Elon Musk, a top Trump adviser overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), recently clashed with Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro.
After Navarro claimed the Dow would hit 50,000 during Trump’s term, Elon fired back, “A PhD in Econ from Harvard is a bad thing, not a good thing,” adding that Navarro hasn’t built anything and calling him “dumber than a sack of bricks.”
Tesla, one of Elon’s highest-profile companies, has reportedly faced headwinds from the tariffs, and is down 42% this year. The automaker recently urged the U.S. Trade Representative to consider a more moderate approach.
Kimbal and Elon Part Ways on Trade
While Kimbal took a firm stand against tariffs, Elon Musk has voiced a slightly different perspective.
Elon, who serves as an adviser to President Trump and leads Tesla and SpaceX, recently said he hopes the U.S. and Europe will adopt a “zero-tariff situation.”
“At the end of the day, I hope it’s agreed that both Europe and the United States should move ideally, in my view, to a zero-tariff situation, effectively creating a free trade zone between Europe and North America,” Elon said.
Pushback and Political Risks
Some called Kimbal’s argument weak. “Isn’t it a bad idea to openly provoke Trump like this?” asked one user.
Others pointed to the geopolitical logic behind tariffs, with one writing, “Tariffs will force others to contribute to the cost of our govt, reducing citizen contributions to zero in most cases.”
While Kimbal’s posts were filled with economic warnings, others mocked him for what they saw as performative concern. “Let your brother/chairman go back to Tesla and focus on work,” said another commenter.
Whether viewed as honest critique or market-driven self-interest, Kimbal Musk’s posts ignited a larger conversation on the real impact of tariffs and the growing divide over Trump’s economic policies.
As one user summed it up: “You know we’ll be back to where we are in 90 days right… he moved because he is shocked by Xi’s response, and can’t afford Europe responding the same way.”
In the end, Kimbal’s attempt to praise Trump and critique him in the same breath left him walking a tightrope, caught between economic reality, political identity, and public opinion.
Or as one commenter put it, “Omg buttering the king again…”
IMAGE CREDIT: “Donald Trump” by Gage Skidmore, via Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Image adjusted for layout.