Neo-Nazi? Elon Musk gesture at Trump inauguration celebration sparks debate
Elon Musk, Washington, D.C., January 20, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Segar
Billionaire Elon Musk faced criticism after making a hand gesture during a celebration of President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday that some compared to a Nazi salute.
However, a prominent organization monitoring antisemitism has dismissed these claims, attributing the gesture to a moment of enthusiasm.
The incident occurred as Musk spoke to a cheering crowd at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Musk enthusiastically exclaimed, “Yesssss,” while pumping his arms and addressing the audience.
During his speech, Musk placed his right hand over his heart with fingers spread wide, then extended his arm upward at an angle, palm down with fingers together, before repeating the gesture toward the crowd behind him.
“My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured,” Musk said during the gesture.
The move sparked online scrutiny, with outlets like the Jerusalem Post questioning if Musk had made a Nazi salute. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), however, dismissed such claims.
“It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute,” the ADL said on Monday, adding that it understood why people might be sensitive about such matters.
Musk responded to the criticism on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), calling it a “tired” attack. “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired,” he wrote.
