Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and a prominent advisor to former US President Donald Trump, has reportedly urged Trump to roll back new tariffs on Chinese imports — but his appeals have so far been unsuccessful. According to reports, Musk held private talks with Trump and made a personal appeal, warning that escalating tariffs could disrupt global trade and harm American businesses.

The controversy arose after Trump threatened to add a fresh 50% tariff on Chinese imports, building on an earlier hike of 34%. In response, Musk — who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in Trump’s circle — attempted to convince Trump to soften the tariff plan, but “has not brought success so far”.

While keeping formal diplomacy behind closed doors, Musk subtly signaled disagreement with Trump’s protectionist stance by posting a video of Milton Friedman, the late conservative economist, on X (formerly Twitter). In the video, Friedman explains the benefits of free trade and global collaboration, using the example of a pencil to illustrate economic interdependence.

Before the new tariffs took effect, Musk voiced his concerns during a conversation with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, stating, “I hope it’s agreed that both Europe and the United States should move ideally, in my view, to a zero-tariff situation. That has certainly been my advice to the president.”

Musk has consistently opposed tariffs, citing their negative impact on global supply chains and companies like Tesla, which operate in both the US and China. His earlier attempts to combat tariff policies include filing a lawsuit during Trump’s first term to challenge duties imposed on Tesla imports from China.

Tensions rise amid Tesla’s declining market value

This rift comes at a turbulent time for Musk. Tesla’s stock dropped by over 2.5%, closing at $233.29 following a broader market slump, and has lost more than 38% of its value this year. Analysts attribute part of the decline to Musk’s growing political involvement, which some believe has distracted from Tesla’s core operations.

In another sign of strain, Musk took a swipe at Peter Navarro, Trump’s trade adviser, by mocking his Harvard PhD credentials, calling it “a bad thing, not a good thing” — a move that drew attention but not yet a response from Navarro himself.

Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt defended Navarro, emphasizing that Trump encourages diverse viewpoints within his team.

A high-profile disagreement

Musk’s challenge to a core Trump policy marks one of the most visible disputes between the former president and a top advisor, particularly significant given that Musk reportedly contributed nearly $290 million to Trump’s last election campaign. The disagreement also comes ahead of Musk’s expected departure from DOGE, further signaling a possible shift in alignment.

Naomika Saran, granddaughter of veteran actress Dimple Kapadia, made a rare public appearance at a star-studded celebration in Mumbai hosted by producer Dinesh Vijan, marking 20 years of Maddock Films and its recent box-office success. She was seen arriving at the event with her grandmother, turning heads with her poised presence.

Naomika, daughter of Rinke Khanna and London-based businessman Sameer Saran, opted for a stylish black mini dress, complemented with loose hair and golden accessories, exuding elegance and confidence. On the red carpet, Dimple Kapadia, dressed in a white ensemble with a maroon top and shawl, graciously let her granddaughter take center stage, encouraging photographers to focus on Naomika.

Rumours of Bollywood debut with Agastya Nanda

Adding to the excitement, Naomika is reportedly set to make her acting debut this year in a film opposite Agastya Nanda, grandson of Amitabh Bachchan. The film is said to be directed by Jagdeep Sidhu and produced by Dinesh Vijan, strengthening the speculation about her launch into Bollywood.

Later in the evening, Naomika Saran, Agastya Nanda, and Suhana Khan were spotted exiting a Mumbai restaurant together, further fueling buzz about the upcoming project.

The Maddock Films event witnessed a grand turnout from Bollywood’s A-listers. Celebrities like Vicky Kaushal, Varun Dhawan, Sidharth Malhotra, Rajkummar Rao, Rashmika Mandanna, Shraddha Kapoor, Mrunal Thakur, Abhishek Bachchan, and Nimrat Kaur made fashionable appearances, adding glitz to the evening.

Meanwhile, Agastya Nanda posed for the cameras alongside Simar Bhatia, Akshay Kumar’s niece, before heading to the post-party outing.

As Naomika Saran makes headlines for both her appearance and rumored debut, all eyes are on the next star kid set to step into the Bollywood spotlight.

While Twinkle Khanna continues to make waves in the world of writing and cinema as the wife of Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, her sister Rinke Khanna has chosen a quieter life away from the limelight. The younger daughter of legendary actor Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, Rinke married Sameer Saran, a London-based businessman, in 2003.

Rinke Khanna entered Bollywood following in the footsteps of her parents and sister. Though she starred in films like Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai, Yeh Hai Jalwa, Jhankaar Beats, and Chameli, her career didn’t take off. After a string of unsuccessful releases, she stepped away from the industry and chose to settle abroad post marriage.

Who is Sameer Saran?

Sameer Saran, Rinke’s husband, is a successful businessman with ventures in India and the UK. As per reports, he has been a partner in a real estate firm with operations in Mumbai, Goa, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, while also running his business out of London. Despite maintaining a low public profile, his reported net worth of Rs 250 crore places him among India’s financially elite entrepreneurs.

Unlike his brother-in-law Akshay Kumar, who remains a household name, Sameer Saran has no connection with the film industry. However, in terms of wealth and status, he stands at par. Together with Rinke, he leads a private and comfortable life in the UK.

The Khanna family and their next generation

The couple is parents to two children, and recently, their daughter Naomika Saran was spotted alongside her grandmother Dimple Kapadia in Mumbai. This has sparked speculation about Naomika’s potential debut in the film industry, drawing interest from media and fans alike.

From superstar beginnings to a peaceful life abroad, Rinke Khanna’s journey showcases a conscious shift from Bollywood glamour to personal fulfillment.