Elon Musk, billionaire and Trump ally, is under fire for a hand gesture critics are comparing to a fascist salute. The controversial moment occurred during an inauguration event at Capitol One Arena, where Musk joined President Donald Trump to address supporters.
The Gesture That Sparked Outrage
As Musk delivered remarks onstage, he made a straight-armed salute, stating, “My heart goes out to you.” The gesture quickly drew comparisons to the Nazi-era “Sieg Heil” salute, igniting a social media firestorm.
Prominent figures voiced their concerns. Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler condemned the action, writing on X:
“This abhorrent gesture has no place in our society and belongs in the darkest chapters of human history.”
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz published a piece titled “Elon Musk Appears to Make Fascist Salute at Trump Inauguration Rally,” reflecting the global scrutiny of the incident.
Musk’s Response and Conservative Defenses
While Musk has not directly addressed the controversy, he shared clips of his speech to his 215 million followers on X, focusing on his remarks rather than the gesture. His supporters and some conservative commentators dismissed the backlash, attributing the moment to Musk’s characteristic enthusiasm and occasionally awkward physicality.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) defended Musk, stating:
“It seems that [Musk] made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute.”
Musk’s Speech Highlights
In his speech, Musk praised Trump’s promises of “safe cities, secure borders, and sensible spending” and declared his own commitment to advancing space exploration. His mention of taking the cryptocurrency Dogecoin “to Mars” drew cheers from the audience, who chanted “Elon, Elon, Elon” in response.
Musk concluded with a pledge to “work [his] ass off” for the American people.
A Polarizing Figure
This incident underscores Musk’s growing role in Trump’s administration and his polarizing presence in public life. While some hail him as a visionary, others view his actions as increasingly provocative.
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