Elon Musk Criticized Over Hand Gesture During Trump Inauguration Celebration
ADL Defends Musk, Calls It an ‘Awkward Gesture in a Moment of Enthusiasm’
Tech mogul Elon Musk has come under scrutiny after making consecutive hand gestures that some perceived as resembling a Nazi salute during a speech celebrating Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the United States.
Speaking at Washington, DC’s Capital One Arena on Monday, just hours after Trump took the oath of office, Musk paised the Republican’s election victory as a pivotal moment in history.
“This was no ordinary victory,” Musk said. “This was a fork in the road of human civilization. This one really mattered. Thank you for making it happen! Thank you.”
During his address, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO placed his right hand on his chest before extending it outward at an upward angle with his palm facing downward and fingers together. He then turned to face the crowd behind him and repeated the motion.
The gesture quickly sparked online debate, with some social media users accusing Musk of mimicking the infamous Sieg Heil salute associated with Nazi Germany.
“This honestly could not look more like a Nazi salute,” British journalist Owen Jones commented on X.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz also weighed in, describing Musk’s motion as a “‘Roman salute,’ a gesture commonly linked to fascist regimes, most notably Nazi Germany.”
Defenders Say Gesture Was Misinterpreted
Amid the controversy, some have come to Musk’s defense, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a leading organization that combats anti-Semitism. The ADL dismissed the criticism, stating that Musk’s actions were simply an “awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm” rather than a deliberate 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 posted on X. “This is a new beginning. Let’s hope for healing and work toward unity in the months and years ahead.”
Neither Musk nor his representatives have responded to requests for comment.
Musk’s political stance has shifted notably in recent years. After initially distancing himself from partisan politics, he publicly endorsed Trump following the Republican’s narrow survival of an assassination attempt in July. Earlier this month, Musk hosted Alice Weidel, leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, for a discussion on his social media platform X, having previously endorsed the party ahead of Germany’s national elections in February.