Tech billionaire Elon Musk is under scrutiny after making a hand gesture resembling the Nazi salute during a speech celebrating Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th US president.
The incident occurred on Monday at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, where Musk addressed Trump supporters just hours after the president was sworn in. Musk, who has been appointed to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency in Trump’s administration, praised the November 4 election results as “no ordinary victory.”
“This was a fork in the road of human civilisation,” Musk said, describing the election outcome as pivotal. “This one really mattered. Thank you for making it happen! Thank you.”
During his speech, Musk thumped his right hand on his chest before extending his arm upward with his palm facing down—a gesture he repeated after turning to face the crowd. The action drew immediate criticism online, with many accusing him of imitating the Sieg Heil salute associated with Adolf Hitler.
The gesture sparked outrage across social media platforms, with British journalist Owen Jones remarking, “This honestly could not look more like a Nazi salute.” Israeli newspaper “Haaretz” also weighed in, describing the gesture as a “‘Roman salute,’ a fascist salute most commonly associated with Nazi Germany.”
Amid the backlash, some defended Musk. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a prominent anti-Semitism watchdog, stated that the gesture was likely “an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute.”
“In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath,” the ADL said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). “This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead.”
Musk has yet to comment on the controversy. Requests for statements sent to his lawyer and his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, went unanswered.
The incident follows Musk’s recent political alignment with Trump and his endorsement of far-right ideologies. Earlier this month, Musk hosted Alice Weidel, leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, for a discussion on X. Musk had previously endorsed the AfD during Germany’s national elections in February.
Musk’s actions have further polarised public opinion. While critics see the gesture as a troubling nod to far-right extremism, his defenders argue it was a misinterpreted expression of enthusiasm during a significant political moment.
As the controversy unfolds, the incident underscores the complexities of Musk’s role in Trump’s administration and his increasingly contentious public persona.
Melissa Enoch
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