Elon Musk Under Scrutiny for Hand Gesture at Trump Inauguration Event
The Anti-Defamation League defends Musk, calling the gesture an "awkward moment of enthusiasm" amid widespread criticism.
Washington, D.C. – Tech billionaire Elon Musk has sparked controversy after making a hand gesture that some observers have likened to the infamous Nazi salute during a speech celebrating the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th U.S. president.
Musk, addressing Trump supporters at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on January 20, hailed the election as "no ordinary victory" and emphasized the historic significance of the event. "This was a fork in the road of human civilisation. This one really mattered. Thank you for making it happen!" Musk exclaimed.
However, his subsequent actions raised eyebrows. Musk thumped his chest before extending his right arm at an upward angle, palm down, and fingers together—a motion reminiscent of the Nazi-era "Sieg Heil" salute. He repeated the gesture while facing the crowd.
The move quickly drew criticism on social media, with some accusing Musk of performing a Nazi salute. Democratic Congressman Jerry Nadler from New York condemned the gesture, calling it "abhorrent" and urging colleagues to denounce it as an expression of antisemitism.
Musk’s actions were also met with praise from some neo-Nazi groups, further amplifying the controversy. Israeli media, including Haaretz, described the gesture as a "Roman salute" historically associated with fascist movements, including Nazi Germany.
In defense of Musk, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a prominent organization dedicated to combatting antisemitism, stated that it appeared to be an "awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm," not a Nazi salute. The ADL urged people to extend grace and take a breath, emphasizing the need for unity and healing moving forward.
Max Kaiser, Executive Officer of the Jewish Council of Australia, sharply disagreed with the ADL’s defense. He argued that Musk’s gesture clearly signaled support for far-right and neo-Nazi ideologies, pointing to Musk’s controversial support of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party and the content on his social media platform, X.
While Musk has not directly addressed the allegations, he has engaged with posts on X thanking the ADL and expressing agreement with users who criticized the use of the term "Nazi" in political discourse.
Musk, who has increasingly aligned himself with right-wing politics, has drawn attention for his controversial statements and actions in recent months, including his public support for Trump after the Republican's narrow survival of an assassination attempt in July. His platform, X, has also become a venue for far-right figures, further fueling debate about Musk’s political affiliations.