Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), has found himself at the center of a controversy after making a hand gesture during a speech at a post-inauguration event for President Donald Trump. The gesture has been widely compared to a fascist salute.
Speaking at Washington, D.C.’s Capitol One Arena on Monday, Musk thanked attendees for their support, stating, “Some elections are important, some are not, but this one really mattered. And I just want to say thank you for making it happen. Thank you.” He then placed his hand over his heart before extending his arm outward, palm down, in a manner resembling the infamous Nazi or Roman military salute. Musk repeated the gesture while addressing the crowd, saying, “My heart goes out to you.”
The gesture quickly drew attention from major news outlets, including CNN, Politico, and PBS NewsHour, as well as international publications, which questioned whether it was an intentional reference to fascism. A request for comment from Musk’s legal team was not immediately returned.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which combats anti-Semitism, offered a cautious response on X, acknowledging the gesture but refraining from labeling it a Nazi salute. “It seems that Elon Musk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute,” the ADL stated. “We appreciate that people are on edge and hope that all sides will give one another some grace in this moment of new beginnings.”
Despite the ADL’s response, discussions surrounding the incident spread rapidly on X and other social media platforms. Some users condemned Musk’s actions, while others defended him, arguing that he did not intend to invoke fascism. Musk himself has yet to comment directly on the controversy but responded to the ADL’s post with a simple “Thanks guys” followed by a joyful emoji.
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York, voiced her strong disapproval on X, where she has 12.8 million followers. “Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity,” she wrote. “People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now. You work for them. Thank you for making that crystal clear to all.”
Musk, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump, made significant contributions to Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign, totaling at least $250 million. He was also highly visible during Trump’s swearing-in ceremony earlier that day.
In another controversial move, Trump appointed Musk to lead an initiative aimed at streamlining and reducing the size of the federal government, called the Department of Government Efficiency. This appointment has stirred debate, especially given the acronym DOGE, which mirrors the name of a cryptocurrency that Musk has both praised and criticized in recent years.
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