Leaked audio obtained by Axios reveals how deep divisions inside the White House derailed a proposed India–U.S. trade deal. In private remarks to donors, Senator Ted Cruz blamed Vice President JD Vance and trade adviser Peter Navarro for blocking progress, while admitting Donald Trump himself sometimes halted negotiations. The recordings also capture Cruz warning Trump that aggressive tariff policies could trigger economic backlash, election losses, and even impeachment risks. With new tariffs imposed on India over Russian oil and the trade deal still stalled, the episode exposes growing Republican rifts ahead of the 2026 and 2028 elections.