In the wake of recent accusations, Elon Musk has spoken out following claims that he made a “Nazi salute” at the inauguration ceremony for Donald Trump.
The ceremony, held on Monday, January 20, marked Trump’s inauguration for a second term as President of the United States. The event was filled with noteworthy moments, with Trump making ambitious pledges for his upcoming term.
While some attendees and observers chose to focus on First Lady Melania Trump’s striking hat choice, and others commented on the familial resemblance of Vice President J.D. Vance’s daughter, it was Elon Musk who garnered the most attention online.
The CEO of Tesla and founder of SpaceX, Musk had been an ardent supporter of President Trump’s re-election campaign, promoting his cause via Musk’s social media platform, ‘X’ (the platform previously known as Twitter). Musk was present at Washington’s Capital One Arena before the Inauguration Day parade began.
During his speech, Musk passionately discussed the future possibilities of space exploration, including sending humans to Mars and placing an American flag on Mars, the “Red Planet.” However, controversy erupted when Musk was seen thumping his chest and raising his right arm skywards in a gesture that sparked debate.
“Thank you for making it happen. Thank you, my heart goes out to you,” Musk expressed, directing his actions toward the audience before repeating the gesture towards the U.S. flag.
The gesture bore a resemblance to historical salutes, leading to a flurry of online reactions. CNN’s Kasie Hunt described the gesture as ‘unusual for American rallies’ and suggestive of ‘historical references’ that are well known.
On X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, users were quick to interpret the gesture, with some boldly accusing the 53-year-old billionaire of making a “Sieg Heil.”
The Anti-Defamation League, an organization focused on combatting antisemitism, quickly came to Musk’s defense, posting on X: “It appears that [Musk] made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute. Nevertheless, we understand why people are concerned.
“This is a sensitive period. It’s a time of transition, yet tensions remain high. Political climates are heated, and social media often exacerbates the stress.
“During these times, a little understanding from all perspectives is valuable. Let’s extend grace and perhaps give the benefit of the doubt, allowing space for new beginnings. May we all aim toward healing and unity in the coming months and years.”
U.S. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did not hesitate in criticizing the Anti-Defamation League’s stance, stating: “To be clear, you seem to support a gesture that many see as a Heil Hitler salute, repeated for emphasis and clarity.
“This diminishes your credibility as a reliable source of information, making it clear you have allegiances elsewhere. Thanks for clarifying this for everyone.”
Elon Musk countered by remarking that Ocasio-Cortez had ‘completely lost her perspective’.
Another individual on X commented: “Could we stop labeling everyone a Nazi? It was ineffective during the election and continues to be so. It’s cliched and outdated. The shock value is gone and the term has lost its power due to overuse.”
Musk responded to the comment with a simple “yeah exactly” and a yawn emoji, adding later: “Frankly, they need more creative criticisms. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ tactic is extremely tiresome.”
