Washington DC: White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has reignited his row with social media platform X after being fact-checked over his claims on India’s purchase of Russian oil. On Sunday (local time), Navarro dismissed the platform’s “community notes” as “crap” and alleged that they represented foreign interests interfering in U.S. economic and political debates.

The controversy began on Friday, when Navarro accused India of profiteering from Russian oil imports and claimed that New Delhi’s tariffs were costing “American jobs.” X users fact-checked his post, clarifying that India’s purchases were legal and aligned with its energy security needs. The move prompted Navarro to lash out at the platform, accusing it of promoting propaganda.

“Should X put up posts where foreign interests masquerade as objective observers and interfere with domestic U.S. economics and politics? See SCREEN SHOT! Take poll on next post,” Navarro wrote. In a follow-up, he claimed that “Indian special interests” were interfering in U.S. dialogue with “lies about India buying Russian oil.”

Navarro launched a poll on X to test user sentiment, asking whether the platform should allow such fact-checks. By the time of reporting, 60.3% of users voted “Yes,” while 19.3% chose “No,” and 20.3% responded “Hell no. It’s obscene,” leaving Navarro on the defensive.

The trade adviser’s remarks follow his earlier tirade, where he directly accused Elon Musk of letting “propaganda” infiltrate posts. “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,” Navarro claimed in one of his posts.

His comments came in response to a Washington Post article highlighting internal rifts within the Trump administration over its approach to India. Navarro dismissed the report, alleging that India’s high tariffs and oil imports were undermining U.S. interests, while labeling the publication “fake news.”

The episode underscores Navarro’s escalating friction with X’s content moderation system and highlights his continued criticism of India’s trade and energy policies.