Kimbal Musk, a director at Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) and brother of Elon Musk, has launched a fierce critique of President Donald Trump’s trade policies. In a recent social media post, Kimbal openly questioned Trump’s legacy, suggesting that the tariff regime he introduced amounts to “the most high tax” approach in generations.
“Through his tariff strategy, Trump has implemented a structural, permanent tax on the American consumer,” Kimbal wrote.
The comments reflect the broader tension within the Musk family regarding trade. Elon, who serves the Trump administration as Department of Government Efficiency head, has publicly endorsed a “zero-tariff” framework, hoping to see a free-trade environment free from import barriers.
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Kimbal’s statements highlight how he believes tariffs stifle economic growth and drive up consumer costs, cautioning that “a tax on consumption also means less consumption,” which can trigger a cycle of decreasing jobs and purchasing power.
Elon’s time in the administration has been marked by both optimism and conflict. He was initially welcomed as a potential ally who would champion efficiency and innovation. Yet, White House insiders have grown uneasy about his outspoken views and feared potential conflicts of interest, especially after Elon advocated for a sweeping reduction in trade restrictions—directly at odds with the president’s protectionist agenda.
The unease escalated further when Elon publicly criticized Trump’s trade adviser, Peter Navarro, sparking concern that his outspoken stances deviated from official policy.
READ: Elon Musk, Trump’s DOGE Head, Wants A “Zero-Tariff” Environment
Despite these strains, Trump once praised Elon as “a patriot” and expressed hopes of keeping him within the administration. However, fears about classified information access and conflicts with Musk’s business interests reportedly have led to a mutual decision for him to return to the private sector in the not-so-distant future. Since then, his brother Kimbal has started to challenge the president on trade issues.
“Even if he is successful in bringing jobs on shore through the tariff tax, prices will remain high,” Kimbal asserted.
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