Elon Musk's recent gesture during a Donald Trump rally has drawn sharp criticism, with some likening it to a Nazi salute. In response to backlash on social media, Musk dismissed the accusations, while defenders argue it was an expression of gratitude.
Musk Faces Controversy Over Gesture at Trump Inauguration Rally
Musk Faces Controversy Over Gesture at Trump Inauguration Rally
The CEO's arm movement at a post-inauguration event sparks allegations of Nazi symbolism.
Elon Musk, the head of Tesla and SpaceX, has ignited a firestorm of controversy following an unusual arm gesture he made during a rally marking Donald Trump's post-inauguration celebrations. Speaking at the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C., Musk thanked the crowd for their support, then placed his right hand over his heart and extended the same arm forward, repeating the action for those seated behind him. This move was met with immediate backlash on social media, as many users on X, the platform Musk owns, compared it to a Nazi salute.
In response to the intense scrutiny, Musk tweeted, “Honestly, they need to up their dirty tricks. The 'everyone is Hitler' narrative is so old.” Musk, a prominent figure in the tech industry and a known ally of Trump, expressed, “My heartfelt gratitude goes out to you. Because of you, the future of civilization is bright,” after making the gesture that has raised eyebrows among historians and political observers alike.
Professors and experts weighed in on the controversy, with historian Claire Aubin labeling the gesture a clear "sieg heil," a term associated with Nazi salute, while NYU history professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat described it as a “belligerent” salute reminiscent of fascist symbols. Notably, Andrea Stroppa, a close associate of Musk with ties to the Italian far-right, reportedly posted a video of the incident with a caption referencing the "Roman salute," further stirring the pot before taking his post down and asserting that Musk, who has openly discussed his autism, was merely expressing his heart-felt appreciation.
Amidst these tensions, Musk's political positions have shifted noticeably to the right, notably showing support for Germany’s far-right AfD party and the British Reform UK party, contributing to further scrutiny of his actions and spoken sentiments. Contrarily, the Anti-Defamation League defended Musk, suggesting the gesture was simply a poorly executed display of enthusiasm rather than any sinister link to Nazi symbolism. With Musk now recognized as one of Trump’s closest allies, his actions at political events continue to draw attention and criticism as they intertwine with a tumultuous political landscape.
In response to the intense scrutiny, Musk tweeted, “Honestly, they need to up their dirty tricks. The 'everyone is Hitler' narrative is so old.” Musk, a prominent figure in the tech industry and a known ally of Trump, expressed, “My heartfelt gratitude goes out to you. Because of you, the future of civilization is bright,” after making the gesture that has raised eyebrows among historians and political observers alike.
Professors and experts weighed in on the controversy, with historian Claire Aubin labeling the gesture a clear "sieg heil," a term associated with Nazi salute, while NYU history professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat described it as a “belligerent” salute reminiscent of fascist symbols. Notably, Andrea Stroppa, a close associate of Musk with ties to the Italian far-right, reportedly posted a video of the incident with a caption referencing the "Roman salute," further stirring the pot before taking his post down and asserting that Musk, who has openly discussed his autism, was merely expressing his heart-felt appreciation.
Amidst these tensions, Musk's political positions have shifted noticeably to the right, notably showing support for Germany’s far-right AfD party and the British Reform UK party, contributing to further scrutiny of his actions and spoken sentiments. Contrarily, the Anti-Defamation League defended Musk, suggesting the gesture was simply a poorly executed display of enthusiasm rather than any sinister link to Nazi symbolism. With Musk now recognized as one of Trump’s closest allies, his actions at political events continue to draw attention and criticism as they intertwine with a tumultuous political landscape.
